1

1. FUNDUMENTAL CONCEPTS

1.1 Starting AutoCAD

1.2 Saving a New Drawing
1.3 Creating a New Drawing from a Template
1.4 Customizing a Drawing in Model Space
1.4.1 The Drawing Units
1.4.2 Paper Size (Limits)
1.4.3 The Grid & Snap: Drafting Settings
1.4.4 Setting up Linetypes & Scale
1.4.5 Creating Custom Linetype
1.4.6 Creating a Dimension Style
1.4.7 Creating a Template From .DWG File
1.5 Entering Drawing Properties
1.6 Purge Command
1.7 Renaming Named Objects
1.8 Setting a Profile
1.9 Manipulating AutoCAD Screen
1.10 Toolbars
1.11 System Variables
 2

1. FUNDUMENTAL CONCEPTS
1.1 THE START UP DIALOG BOX
☼ Once AutoCAD is running, you can access the startup dialog box by
clicking: File ► New, but the Open a Drawing button will not be
available.
Tools  Options ► System tab  Show Start up dialog box
(a) Opening an Existing Drawing
1. Click Open a Drawing button. A display of drawings list that have
been opened recently appears, with a preview image of the highlighted
drawing.
2. Click Browse button and choose a drawing from the Sample folder.
3. File ► Open, or click the Open Folder to display Select File dialog
box. In this dialog box, navigate to the correct folder in the Look In drop-
down list, and click Open. Then find your drawing in the list and
highlighted to display an image preview. Click the Open button.
NOTES: By keeping the CTRL key depressed while clicking, you can
select several drawings at once. This will allow you to take the properties
of objects such as colour, layers, linetypes, and linetype scales from one
drawing to another using Windows Explorer. A command can be left
running in one drawing while you move back to another.

(b) Start From Scratch button

This displays a blank sheet with AutoCAD default settings. If you want to
start a drawing but aren’t sure how big a sheet you will need, use this
option. You can define the size later.
NOTE: If you click the Cancel button in the Startup dialog box, the Start
from Scratch mode will become the default mode when AutoCAD starts
up, regardless of which of the 4 upper buttons is depressed in the dialog
box.

(c) Use a Template button

▬ Most AutoCAD template files are in the Template folder; but use the
Browse button to navigate to a different folder.
▬ Scroll down the list of template files, highlight a suitable one to
display a preview image. Click O.K.

(d) Use a Wizard button

(i) The Quick Setup (to specify units and size of the drawing area):
 3

1. Highlight the Quick Setup and click O.K.

2. Units: Select the units. Decimal units can represent any length
including metric. Select Decimal and click Next.
3. Area: This sets the drawing limits (refer a later paragraph). You can
check the area size, move the cross-hair cursor to the upper-right corner
of the screen and observe the coordinate readout.
For A3 sheet (420mm * 297mm) @100 Scale: double-click the Width
and type 42000, then double-click the length and type 29700.
4. Click Finish.
5. View  Zoom  All (to ensure that your display covers the entire
area you specified for drawing limits).

(ii) The Advanced Wizard

▬ Units: Select Linear Units and the Precision. Click Next.
▬ Angle: Select Angular Units and the Precision. Click Next.
▬ Angle Measure: Ignore. Click Next.
▬ Area: Enter drawing limits (i.e. X & Y coordinates of the upper-right
corner). There is no list from which you can choose the unit (mm, cm,
etc). It is set in your mind.
▬ Enter setting for Grid & Snap.

1.2 SAVING A NEW DRAWING [Drawing1]

OR SAVING AN EXISTING DRAWING AS A
SEPARATE DRAWING (With a New Name)

1. File ► Save As
2. In the Save In drop-down list, designate the drive.
3. Designate a folder: Click the Create New Folder button. Enter a name
for the folder in which to save the drawing, and press ENTER. Double-
click the new folder to open it.
Or navigate to the folder that will contain the new drawing. Double-click
to open that folder.
4. In the File Name box, enter a name for the drawing file.
5. To save your drawing as a regular drawing: choose AutoCAD2000
drawing (*.dwg) in the Type drop-down menu.
6. Click Save. The Title bar now displays the new drawing file name.

1.3 CREATING A NEW DRAWING FROM

A TEMPLATE
 4

[Assume A4 paper ( 210mm * 297mm) @ 1: 10 Scale]

1. Select a template (DWT files) to use as the starting point.

2. Click acadiso.dwt (for metric units). If necessary, maximize.
3. Choose Format ► Limits. Press Enter to accept the default <0,0> for
lower-left corner. Type 2100,2970 (no spaces; A4 paper times the scale
factor of 10 since it will be plotted at 1:10 scale) to specify the upper-
right corner, and press Enter.
4. Right-click the SNAP button (on the Status bar) and choose Settings.
Change the values in the dialog box as:
Snap On checked, Grid On checked, Snap X Spacing set to, e.g., 25mm
and click Snap Y (to set the same value automatically), Grid X set to
25mm and click Grid Y to change automatically.
Click O.K.
To check the settings, zoom to the new limits with View ► Zoom ▬All
5. Type LTScale and press Enter. Type 5 (half the drawing scale figure)
and press Enter.
6. Choose Format ► Dimension Style → click Modify → click Fit tab
(and change the Use Overall Scale of Setting to 10) → O.K → Close.
7. File ► Save (navigate to a suitable folder and give a file name) →
Save.
8. Title blocks are usually drawn in a separate DWG file using plotted
units, and then either inserted or Xrefed into each sheet of drawing.

NOTE: when you have a menu pulled down, you must click a blank part
outside the screen or press Esc key twice to remove.

1.4 CUSTOMIZING A DRG IN MODEL SPACE

Start from Scratch Wizard (acadiso.dwt template)

Most drawings require a two-part set up:-

1. Model space tab set up to create the drawing
2. Paper space layout tabs to set up title block and for plotting.

1.4.1 THE DRAWING UNIT

After specifying a type of unit, you draw on screen full size in this unit.
Decimal Units is the default when starting Drawing1.dwg using Start
from Scratch option.
 5

1. Start AutoCAD ► click Start from Scratch button.

All buttons in the Status bar, except Model, must be clicked off.
2. Select Metric Units ► O.K.
3. Format  Units.. (to bring up Drawing Units dialog box).
■ Select units for Linear & Angular. Choose Decimal.
■ Select Precision which is reflected in the Status bar coordinate angle
and distances. It does not affect precision of the drawing.
■ Leave the default Rotation, anti-clockwise, unchanged.
■ In the Drawing Units for DesignCenter Blocks area, choose the unit
for this drawing. This unit has no effect on the drawing process, but is
used for automatically adjusting the size of blocks as they are inserted. If
a block created in different units is inserted into the drawing, it is
automatically scaled and inserted in the specified units of the current
drawing.
4. Click O.K.
1.4.2 SETTING THE LIMITS

(i) THE DRAWING SIZE –Refer Chart below

All the dimensions you enter are input in real size with no scaling (or
Real World Coordinates) although being magnified on the screen for
display. If you don't know the scale, draw 1: 1 and make the drawing size
(i.e. limits) slightly larger than the project size (to fit the footnotes).
Draw a rectangle as a temporary Border from 0,0 to the drawing
limit (W,H).
■ The Start from Scratch drawing area, by default, (in English units) is 12
to 16 inches wide and 9 inches high, whereas the Metric Units sets the
limits to 420mm * 297mm (which is A3 paper size).

Deciding on Sheet Size for Printing

(Scale & Limits):

Assume: Size: A4 paper (210mm * 297mm).

Scale: 1: 100 (i.e. every 1mm on the plotted sheet represents
100 mm real world size (CAD drawing size))

How big an area can fit on this paper?

The real area represented on A4 for 1:100 scale is:-
210 * 100 = 21000 mm
297 * 100 = 29700 mm
i.e., a maximum actual area size of 21000 * 29700 mm can fit on A4
paper at a scale 1:100.
 6

Conversely:
A floor plan of 20m * 13m to be printed on A3 paper (297 * 420mm).
What is the largest plot size can be used?
X-size of drawing / X-size of paper = 20m / 0.42m = 47.8
Y-size of drawing / Y-size of paper = 13m / 0.297m = 43.8
The larger number of either X or Y, (47.8), is rounded up to the
nearest commonly used scale factor i.e., 50.
Therefore the required scale is 1: 50.
NOTE: Always use the printable area of the sheet rather than the
actual sheet size. Click Plot button on the Standard Toolbar → click
Plot Settings tab in Plot dialog box → Select paper size and note the
printable area.

(ii) THE LIMITS

Format ► Drawing Limits
1. Type at the Command line the lower-left corner of the limits, or just
press Enter to accept the default <0,0> value.
2. Type the upper-right corner of the limits as decided above  .
3. View ► Zoom → All
The Grid will display the entire working area defined by the limits you
have just defined, which corresponds to plotting paper size.

1.4.3 THE GRID & SNAP

The Grid: is an array of visible, evenly spaced dots which covers an

area set by the drawing limits. In English Units, the dots of the grid are
0.5” apart by default, while the dots are 10 units apart covering an A3
size in Metric.
You can turn the grid on and off any time; but when it is on, it is for
display only and will not print.
If the Snap is on, you can snap the cross-hair to the grid. When you
manipulate the drawing with the zoom command:
View → Zoom → Out / In
to view the entire grid pattern, the distance between the grid points will
give you an idea of how much you have magnified the image.
The Snap interval constrains the cursor to moving in an invisible “ hot”
snap points a certain distance apart on on-screen, enabling you to easily
align objects a pre-determined distance apart. For example, setting the
snap to 25mm will allow you to quickly draw lines of 25mm or multiples
thereof. You will not be able to draw between the settings when you
switch snap off.
 7

The spacing of the grid of visible points (the Grid) and the grid of
invisible snap points (the Snap) are commonly linked and used to draw
outlines.
You are likely to find a need to change the snap setting frequently,
making the snap setting smaller as you zoom in and work on more
detailed areas; and larger as you zoom back out. The grid setting,
however, can usually remain constant to keep you oriented as to how far
zoomed in you are in the drawing.
■ Right-click on the GRID or SNAP button on the Status bar, and click
Settings. In the Drafting Settings dialog box:-
Check that Snap & Grid tab is active.
In the Grid section, click in the Grid X Spacing and change it to 0, which
will then make it to take on whatever spacing you set for the Snap X
Spacing. This is how you lock the two together. When the Grid X spacing
reads 0, click in the Grid Y spacing to match the Grid X value.
Change the Snap X Spacing to the desired value, then click Snap Y
spacing setting to automatically match the Snap X spacing.
Ensure that Grid Snap and Rectangular Snap are selected. Also, Snap ON
and Grid On boxes on the top are to be checked in.
Click O.K. The Grid is now visible.
Grid & Snap spacing is normally selected as: GRID = nSNAP, where n
is the Snap spacing, normally 4 for Architects, & 2 or 10 for Mechanical.

1.4.4 SETTING UP LINETYPES & SCALE

A linetype is a series of dashed and/or dots that have a specified spacing,

which is then assigned to the object. The linetype scale factor controls the
spacing of dash-dot.
The default Linetype in AutoCAD is Continuous. Every thing you draw
is shown with a continuous linetype. To draw with a dashed or dotted (or
other) Metric linetype, firstly you need to load it [look in the two libraries
of linetypes supplied, to be found in the files: acadiso.lin and
acltiso.lin( metric template)], and secondly it must be set current.

(a) How to Use a Linetype?

Assign it to a layer (The Bylayer method) globally through the Layer
Properties Manager dialog box, accessed by clicking the Layers button).
This controls the appearance of all objects on that layer.
Assign it to a block (The Byblock method).
Assign it to an object (By Object Method). It is possible to draw different
objects on the same layer with different linetypes, by overriding the
Bylayer property value:
 8

(i) Pick the objects on the drawing whose linetype you want to
change. It will then display the grips.
(ii) Click on the Linetype Control down-arrow in the Object
Properties toolbar.
(iii) Highlight the linetype you want to use. All the loaded linetypes
will be displayed here.
(iv) Press Esc twice.
An alternative to step (ii), you can use the Properties dialog box:
Modify toolbar  Properties  click on Categorized tab. The
Linetype heading will be listed on the top. Click on and then select
linetype  click on the down-arrow beside it  select a linetype.
NOTE: This method is not recommended because it makes editing of
complex drawings very cumbersome.
In a template drawing, load all the linetypes you frequently use into the
template so that they are easily available.

(b) How to Load a Linetype?

0 In the Object Properties toolbar → click on the down-arrow →
click on Others..
1 In the displayed Linetype Manager, click on Load.
2 Select a linetype from the displayed acadiso.lin file, then click
O.K. If the file box does not show it, click on File.. button and select it
from the library list.
3 The linetype is now loaded and added to list in the Linetype
Manager Dialog box, ready to be used. It is saved with the current
drawing file.

(c) How to Setup a Linetype Scale Factor?

The scale of a linetype controls the length of dashes and spaces.

In English Units, by default, the dashes for non continuous lines are set
up to 0.5” long with 0.25” spaces, which AutoCAD gives it <1.00>. This
is the right size for a drawing that is close to actual size on the screen
(about A4 paper). The default must be changed to correspond with the
scale factor of the drawing.
Linetype scale factor can be assigned globally or individually, same as
with linetype. Unlike linetype, however, you cannot assign a global
linetype factor Bylayer (i.e. using the Layer Properties Manager). When
you set the linetype scale factor, it affects all linetype on all layers.
c.1 Global Method:
(1) Format ► Linetype..
(2) In the Linetype Manager, click on the linetype you want to re-adjust.
 9

(3) Input the scale in the Global Scale Factor box.

(4) Click O.K. The new scale setting will now apply globally to drawing.
Alternatively: type ltscale  .
In response to the prompt for a new scale factor, input half the drawing
scale factor as a first trial. If not satisfied, restart the ltscale command and
increase the scale factor for a longer dash, or decrease it for a shorter one.
This linetype scale factor is global one affecting every non-continuous
line in the drawing.

c.2 Assigning an Individual (or Object) Scale:

(i) Using the Properties button, thus overriding the current global
linetype scale factor.
0 Select the Object(s) whose linetype you wish to change.
1 Click the Properties button to display its window.
2 In the Properties dialog box, click Linetype Scale → highlight the
current scale and input the chosen new scale → Enter.
3 Close the dialog box. Press Esc to remove the grips.
The selected object takes on the individual linetype scale. Check the size
compared to the drawing scale using the Grid button.
NOTES:
• If no objects are selected prior to setting a particular Linetype Scale
in the Properties Dialog box, then any non-continuous lines that are
subsequently drawn will have this new linetype scale.
• To set individual linetype scale factor to new objects, enter the
linetype scale factor in the Current Object Scale box. When you
use this text box to define a linetype scale, it applies to all new
objects, not the currently selected object.
(ii) Click on the Linetype Control down-arrow  Other  make
changes as needed. The dialog box shows the current values for the
individual (i.e. Object) and Global linetype scale factors in a drawing. If
not visible, click Hide/Show Details button.

1.4.5 CREATING CUSTOM LINETYPES

AutoCAD saves linetype definitions in ASCII text files appended with

.LIN. In addition to loading predefined linetype, you can create new
linetype and save them to a linetype library file for use in other drawings.
 A Simple linetype consists only of line segments (dashes), dots,
and gaps.
 10

 The line “definition code” always starts with the letter “A”
followed by a comma (A,) and AutoCAD inserts it automatically for
you. The remainder of the code consists of a series of dashes and
spaces you want to have to represent the Simple linetype. All values
are entered as real numbers, with positive values defining dash lengths
(pen down), and negative numbers defining the length of the spaces
(pen up). A zero value represents a dot (a dash of zero length). A
comma separates each number.

 A Complex linetype contains 2 main elements:

 The first element is the same definition as a Simple linetype which
describes the dashes and spaces in the linetype.
 The second is the text or shape that also displays in the linetype.

To Create Complex Linetypes:

The steps involved in creating a complex linetype are to modify a Simple
linetype created and added into Windows Notepad library file, as follows:

Initiate a Simple linetypes using -LINETYPE command and give it a

name.
Create a file to store customized linetypes, if you opt to separate them
from the default ACADISO.LIN file.
Enter the linetype definition code for dashes and gaps of the Simple
linetype.
Enter modifications on the Simple linetypes to create Complex linetypes
having text within the line using Notepad.
Load it into the drawing.

(i) CREATING A SIMPLE LINETYPE

Open a new AutoCAD file.

At the command, type: -LINETYPE (hyphen at the beginning). The
prompt options are to create, load, or set a linetype.
At the prompt “?/ Create/ Load/ Set”, type c  to create a new linetype.
[NOTE: You can get a list of available linetypes in the ACADISO.LIN
by typing ?  . To view available linetypes, in the File dialog box that
appears, locate and double-click ACAD in the listed linetype files].
At the prompt to enter a name for the new linetype, type a name like
“CUSTOM”.
In the displayed Create or Append Linetype File dialog box, enter a
new linetype definition file, for example, MYTYPES (one word) in the
 11

File Name text box. AutoCAD automatically inserts .LIN extension to

this file. Alternatively: make sure ACADISO.LIN is highlighted if you
want your new linetype to be added to this default file (and loaded
automatically for immediate use) instead of creating a new file. In this
case, a protection message appears at the command line saying “Wait.
Checking if linetype is already defined” to prevent overriding.
Nominate the folder. (Support folder is the default).
Click Save. AutoCAD creates the new linetype definition file.
The prompt now is to enter a descriptive name for the new linetype.
Type, for example, A Gas line Symbol (and may be how it looks). Press
Enter. AutoCAD prompts for linetype definition code.
At the “Enter Pattern” prompt with "A," insertion, type: 6.35,-3.18 (this
represents a Simple linetype having dash length of 6.35 mm with 3.18
mm gaps (-ve number)). Press ENTER. AutoCAD creates the new
linetype definition, adding it to the new MYTYPES.LIN linetype
definition file (created earlier). Then it repeats the prompt to create, load,
or set additional linetypes.
Create as many simple linetypes you need and save them in
MYLINES.LIN file.
Press Enter to exit the LINETYPE command.
WARNING: If you use the Set option of the linetype command to set a
new default linetype, you will get that linetype no matter what layer
you’re on.
NOTE: To draw a line similar to centerlines (consisting of repetition of
long-dash of 25.0 units, a gap of 3.0 units, a short-dash of 6.25 units, a
gap of 3.0 units), you must type: 25.0,-3.0,6.25,-3.0. The values you enter
for the line segment lengths are multiplied by the Ltscale factor. So be
sure to enter values for the plotted lengths.

To Use this Simple Linetype:

Format  Linetype (or LAYERS button)  click the layer's
CONTINUOUS linetype (in the Layer Properties Manager)  click the
Load button  click File button (in the Load or Reload)  choose
Mylines.lin and click Open (if it was stored in the <Support> folder
choose the CUSTOM linetype and click O.K. to load it into the current
drawing and displays it in the Select Linetype dialog box  choose the
CUSTOM linetype and click O.K. to assign it to the layer  O.K.

(ii) ADDING THE SIMPLE LINETYPE TO NOTEPAD

LINETYPE LIBRARY FILE:
In the command line, type: Notepad (to open this text editor).
 12

At the request for file to edit, type: MYTYPES.LIN. Press Enter.

Notepad opens the linetype definition file. If Notepad cannot find the
MYTYPES.LIN file, then use Notepad to browse to the SUPPORT
folder, or use Windows Explorer to browse to the new folder (step 4
above) where MYTYPES.LIN file is located. Open the file.

(iii) CREATING A COMPLEX LINETYPE

Modify the “CUSTOM” Simple linetype and Add Text
10. Change the first real number to 32, and the second one to -13.
This increases the length of the dashes, and the length of spaces (or
gaps).
11. Add the following text to the end of the “CUSTOM” linetype
values:
A,32,-13,[“LPG”,STANDARD,S=5,R=0.0,X=-2.5,Y=-2.5],-13

32: length of the dash.

-13: length of the space.
LPG: text string you wish to display within the linetype. It may be
DHW, CHW, OIL, etc.
STANDARD: text style. You may enter any text style that is loaded
in the current drawing. Standard is the default style.
S: text scale factor. This value is multiplied by the selected text’s
height value.
If the specified text style has a fixed height, it is multiplied by this
scale factor. If the text style has a height of 0, this value defines the
actual height of the text. This value is multiplied by the linetype scale
factor.
R: rotation of text relative to the line. When set to zero, the text will
be parallel to the line. You can substitute the rotation angle R with an
A (i.e. A=0.0) to keep the text at the same angle regardless of the line's
direction (i.e. fixed in relation to the current UCS).
X & Y: the values represent the offset of the text relative to the line.
Typically, both have same value and set at ½ text scale to center the
text on the line.
[ ]: the information inside the square bracket describes the text
definition. The data must contain no spaces.

12. In Notepad, click File  Save.

13. In AutoCAD, click the Layers button to display the Layers
Properties Manger.
 13

14. Choose the CUSTOM linetype in the Linetype column.

15. Click the Load button in the displayed Select Linetype dialog
box.
16. In the Load or Reload Linetypes dialog box, click File button.
17. In the displayed Select Linetype File dialog box, find and choose
the MYTYPES.LIN file, and then click Open.
18. Choose CUSTOM in the Load or Reload dialog box. Then click
O.K.
19. The Reload Linetype dialog box appears and asks if you want to
reload the linetype. Click Yes to reload the linetype into the current
drawing in order to use it.
20. Choose the “CUSTOM” linetype, and then click O.K. AutoCAD
assigns the modified linetype to layer 0.
21. Click O.K. to close the Layer Properties Manager, then type
REGEN and press Enter. AutoCAD redraws the line with the new
Complex linetype.

The resulting complex line

_____ LPG _____ LPG _____ LPG _____

________ ____ ________ ____ ________

For this linetype, type the code: A,25.0,-3.0,6.25,-3.0
____ ____ ____ ____
The code for this linetype: A,6.35,-3.0

____ . ____ . ____ . ____

The code for this linetype: A,5.0,-2.5,0,-2.5

NOTE: you can use some of the special characters available in TT fonts
in the Character Map as part of the new Complex linetype:
 Start  Program  Accessories  System Tools  Character
Map → Click Select to add the character to the “Character To Copy box”
→ click Copy to copy the character to the Windows Clipboard → switch
back to Notepad and press CTRL+V to paste the character into the
correct location in the linetype definition.

1.4.6 SETTING UP A DIMENSION STYLE

 14

Before dimensioning a drawing, a dimension style should be defined to

ensure that the dimensions reflect the required standards. For example,
you can create dimensions that use tick marks instead of arrows, place
text above the dimension line instead of inside it, or show measurement
units.
Dimension styles, like Text styles, determine the look and size of your
dimensioning features such as text and arrows.
In AutoCAD, there are two default dimension styles: ISO-25 for Metric
users and Standard for English measurement system.
The Dimension Style Manager dialog box allows you to set the current
dimension style, create a new style, modify an existing style, override
part of the current style, or compare two existing styles in the same
drawing.
Every drawing comes with a default dimension style named ISO-25 (for
Metric Units). Do not modify, but rather create and name your own
dimension style(s).
■ To edit (modify) an existing dimension style, open the Dimension Style
Manager dialog box and highlight the style you want to edit and then
click Modify. You can then make changes to the different components of
the selected dimension style, like changing the Scale value in the Fit tab
to match with the scale factor of the current drawing.
■ To create a new style, click New instead of Modify. This will create a
new dimension style that is a copy of the existing style. In the Create
New Dimension Style dialog box that appears, you can name the style
and base it on an existing style. Then click Continue, and you’re returned
back to the same Modify Dimension Style dialog box, but now it is given
the style name you desired.
You can get more information, click ? on the title bar, then click the
setting you want to know about.

(A) Creating Own Dimension Style

(Units in mm)

(1) Format ► Dimension Style (or type Dimstyle), or click the

Dimension Style button on the Dimension floating button toolbar.
NOTE: To display the Dimension floating toolbar:
Right-click any toolbar icon → Dimension
Or, View ► Toolbars.. → Dimension
Then move the floating toolbar to a convenient location.
(2) In the Dimension Style Manager, select ISO-25 from the Styles list.
 15

(3) Click New. With the Copy of ISO-25 name highlighted in the New
Style Name box, enter the desired name, e.g., PROTOTYPE-1, My
Projects.
(4) Click Continue.
The detailed New Dimension Style: PROTOTYPE-1 dialog box
appears. You’re just created a dimension style named PROTOTYPE-1,
but at this point it is identical to ISO-25 on which it is based.
Now you can change dimension setting on any of the 6 tabs in the New
Dim Style : PROTOTYPE-1 dialog box.

(i) Setting up the Primary Unit Style

(5) Click the Primary Unit tab, and ensure that Decimal is selected, and
0.00 is for the Precision option. You may want to specify a suffix for the
unit-less numbers (such as mm for millimeters).

(ii) Setting the Height for Dimension Text

(6) Click the Text tab → click in the Text Height box to highlight the
contents → type 3. Press Enter.
You specify the text height by its final plot size (i.e. enter the desired
plotted text height. Do not multiply it by the drawing scale factor as you
do for ordinary text). You then specify an overall dimension scale factor
that affects the sizing of all of the dimension settings such as text and
arrows.
The text style height you specify in the Text Style dialog box for a
dimension style must be a variable height, i.e. zero (0).
If you want to use a specific text style for your dimensions, select a text
style in the Text Style drop-down list. If this specific style happens to
have a height specification greater than 0 (i.e. a fixed height text), then
that height will override any text height setting you enter in the Text tab.

NOTES:
In the Text Placement area, you can change the placement of dimension
text from its default setting in the dimension line to above the line. To do
this, open the drop-down list labeled Vertical and select Above with the
Aligned With Dim Line radio button ticked.
In the Text Alignment area, ISO Standard option varies text alignment
depending on whether the text can fit between the extension lines

(iii) Choosing an Arrow Style and Setting the Dimension

Scale
 16

Here, you’ll specify the type of arrows, for example, a tick mark for
linear dimension in architectural drawings (see Exercise 2 below). Also,
the scale for arrows and text must be set. Text must be scaled up in size in
order to appear at the proper size in the plotted drawing. The overall scale
of the dimension style is set in the Fit tab.
(7) Choose the Lines and Arrows tab. In the Arrowhead group, open
the drop-down list labeled 1st and 2nd and make a selection, and observe
graphic display resulting from such a selection.
► In the Arrow Size box input 3.
► In the Extend Beyond Ticks box, input 1.5 (this setting causes the
dimension lines to extend past the tick arrows).
► In the Extend Beyond Dim Lines box, input 3 (this sets the distance
the extension line extends past the dimension line.

(iv) Inputting The Drawing Scale

(8) Click the Fit tab:
► In the Scale For Dimension Features, select the Overall Scale Of
radio button.
► Double-click the text box just to the right of this button and input the
scale factor for the current drawing, say, 50. All values that you enter for
the various options in the New Dimension Style dialog box will be
multiplied by this value to obtain the final size of the dimension
components. Now when you draw dimensions as explained in a later
section, AutoCAD will scale the dimension text and arrowhead correctly.
For, example, the text height of 3 you entered earlier will be multiplied
by 50 for a text height of 150mm.
(9) Click O.K (to close the New Dim Style dialog box)
(10) Click Close (in the Dim Style Manager).
Now, you may draw some dimensions to test your new dim style, but
make sure before clicking Close in step 10 that PROTOTYPE-1 is
highlighted and set current.
NOTE: If you use the Scale Dimensions to Layout (Paperspace) option
in the Scale for Dimension Feature of the Fit tab, AutoCAD uses the
Layout Viewport scale to size the dimension components.
If your drawing includes areas of different scales, you can create multiple
dimension styles, one for each scale. Alternatively, you can set the Use
Overall Scale Of setting to1.0 and draw dimensions in a Paperspace
layout, rather than in Model space.

(B) Using a Current Dimension Style

Before you can begin to use your new dimension style, you must make it
the current default.
 17

o Click the desired style in the Styles list box in the Dimension
Style Manager Dialog box.
o Click the Set Current button.
o Click Close (to exit the dialog box).

(C) Copying a Dimension Style From Another Drawing

Using AutoCAD DesignCentre

0 Open the source drawing (which contains the dimension style)

1 Open the destination drawing (to which you want to copy the
dimension style.
2 Click the AutoCAD DesignCentre button on the Standard toolbar.
3 In the left pane of the DesignCentre window, click the (+) sign next
to the name of the drawing that you opened in step1. a list of objects that
can be copied appears, including Dimstyles.
4 Click and drag the desired dimension style from the right pane of
the DesignCentre window into the window containing the drawing you
opened in step 2.
5 Change the Use Overall Scale Of on the Fit tab of the Modify
Dimension Style dialog box to match the current drawing scale factor.

For this method to work, the name of the dimension style to be copied
must NOT be the same as for the destination drawing. If this is the case,
re-name the dim style of the destination drawing by:
Click Dimension Style icon → click New.

(D) Modifying a Dimension Style

On the Dimension toolbar, choose Dim Style  Modify  choose the

Lines & Arrows tab  select DOT (under Arrowheads)  O.K 
close. The dimensions are automatically updated in PROTOTYPE-1 to
reflect the changes made.
TIP: You can override the Dim Style by choosing Override in the Dim
Style Manager to create dimensions that don't conform to the set style. To
return to the default style, open the Dim Style Manager and select the dim
style name again.
Changing Style Settings of Individual Dimensions

If you try to move the text of a typical linear dimension, you may find
that text and dim lines are inseparable. To make a change to a single
 18

dimension’s style settings and be able to separate dim text from its dim
line, use: Properties  Fit  Move Text Add Leader (if required).
Press Esc key twice to cancel any grip selection.
Click the dimension text to expose its grips.
Click the Properties button in the Standard toolbar.
Scroll down the list of properties until you see an option called Fit. Click
the (+) sign to the left of the Fit option. A new set of options appears
below it.
Scroll down the list further until you see the Keep Dim Line with Text
option to the right of the Text Movement listing, then click this option.
Click the arrow that appears next to it to open the drop-down list. Select
Move Text, Add Leader option.
Close the Properties dialog box.
Now, click the grip of the dimension text and move it up. Click again to
place the text in a new location. The text is no longer tied to the
dimension line. Also, a leader is drawn from the dim line to the text. The
option Move Text, No Leader excludes a leader.

NOTE:
0 You can set these options for dim style using the Text Placement
options in the Fit tab of the Dim Style dialog box. The Properties dialog
box affects only the dimensions that you have highlighted. The changes
to the format setting of a single dimension after it was placed can be
made a standard part of your PROTOTYPE-1 (set up earlier) by using the
Modify button in the Dim Style Manager.
1 If you have multiple dimension styles and you want to change an
existing dimension to the current dimension style:
 Click the Dimension Update button on the Dimension toolbar 
Select the dimensions you want to change  Press ENTER. The selected
dimensions will be converted to the current style.

Exercise 1:

CREATING A DIM STYLE FOR A PRODUCTION

MECHANICAL DRAWING

1. Start a new drawing.

2. From the Dimension menu, choose Style.
3. In the Dimension Style dialog box, click on New and give the new
style the name MECH1.
 19

4. Click on Continue, and then click on Modify to change the style.

5. Choose the Lines & Arrows tab.
In the Center Marks for Circles area, select Line.
In the Arrowhead area, select Dot (for arrowhead to appear as bold dot)
for 1st arrowhead. The 2nd arrowhead will automatically change to match
the 1st.
6. In the Extension Lines area, select Red as the colour.
7. Click on the Text tab.
In the Text Placement section, set the Vertical option to Above.
In the Text Alignment area, turn on Aligned with Dimension Line.
8. Click on the Primary Units tab.
In the Linear Dimension area, set the Precision to 0.00.
In the Angular Dimension area, set the Precision to 0.0.
Set the Text Dimension colour to green.
9. Click on the Tolerances tab. Set the Tolerance Format Method to
Symmetrical. This tab enables you to add tolerances to the end of the
dimension text (for workshop drawings).
Set the Upper Value to 0.2. This will show up on the drawing, if the
dimension line is 2.7, as 2.7 +/- 0.2.
10. Click on O.K. to close the Dimension Style dialog box.
11. Click on MECH1 style, and then click Set Current button.
12. Click Close to save and exit the Dimension Style dialog box and
return to the drawing window.
Exercise 2:
CREATING YOUR OWN ARROWHEAD

1. Start a new drawing from scratch.

2. Create an octagon using the polygon command. Make the radius of the
polygon 30.
3. Make a block of the polygon with an insertion point at the centre of the
polygon. Name the block P1.
4. From the Dimension pull-down menu, choose Style.
5. In the Dimension Style dialog box, select ISO-25 style and click on
the New button, enter a name and click Continue.
6. In the Lines & Arrows tab, select User Arrow from the 1st drop-down
list.
7. In the User Arrow dialog box, enter P1 as the arrow name.
8. Click on O.K. to close the Select Custom Arrow Block dialog box.
 20

9. Click on O.K. to close the Geometry dialog box and return to the
Dimension Styles dialog box.
10. Click Close to save the dimension style changes and exit the dialog
box.
11. Create a linear dimension and try the resulting custom arrowhead.
12. You may close the drawing without saving it.

1.4.7 SAVING A DWG FILE AS A TEMPLATE

A template is a drawing whose name ends with “.dwt ” can store title
blocks, layouts, layers, dim styles, etc. You use it as the starting point for
another drawing. When you create a new drawing from a template, a copy
of the template file opens in the drawing window. Ensure that the Model
tab is active before changing the settings in order to work in Model
space.
You can now Save As.. the file to a new filename while the original
template remains unchanged.
NOTE: For typical projects where drawings contain common settings,
named objects, design details and titles, save a complete project as a
template. When using this template in a new project, erase the drawing
objects that are not relevant.
To save your drawing as a template:
1. On the Modify toolbar  ERASE  type All   .
2. File ► Save As..
3. In the Files of Type drop-down menu of the dialog box, choose
AutoCAD Drawing Template File (*.dwt).
4. Navigate to folder where you want to store the drawing. < Template>
is the default folder. If you save your templates in other folders, you have
to click Browse button when you want to use them later.
5. Enter a name for the drawing template in the File Name text box (e.g.
A3- ISO).
6. Click Save button.
7. In the dialog box for template description, enter key information and
measurement units.
8. Click O.K.
To use this Template file:
In the Start Up dialog box, click the Use a Template button  highlight
your newly created template file in the Select a Template list  O.K.
 21

When you choose this type, AutoCAD automatically switches to the

Template folder. Unless your custom template files are specific to a
project, store your template in the AutoCAD Drawing Template File
(*.dwt), since it is the default folder the Start up dialog box looks in for
template files.

1.5 ENTERING DRAWING PROPERTIES

The last item to be finished with Model space drawing setup is entering
summary information in the Drawing Properties dialog box:
File  Drawing Properties  click the Summary tab and enter the
drawing scale you’re using and the drawing scale factor, plus any
information you think useful.

1.6 PURGING
To purge a drawing is to remove references in the drawing to unused
named objects such as linetypes, text styles, layers, blocks, etc., in order
to clean up the drawing data base, and hence reduce its DWG file size. It
is a good practice to purge a drawing before you store it permanently or
send it via E-mail. If you delete (or explode) all of the block inserts that
point to a particular block definition, then that block definition no longer
serves any purpose and should be purged.
The Purge Command
 Type: purge  or File  Drawing Utilities  Purge
The prompt All Items the Purge dialog box allows you to purge all
unused named objects in the current drawing such as blocks, layers, etc.
The other options allow you to select objects individually.
Purge will not delete anything which is used in the drawing. Also layer 0
can never be purged, even if it is unreferenced (i.e., unused named
objects). Purge needs to be run several times as it only works to one level
of reference at a time. Keep purging until you see the message No
unreferenced x to purge.
For example, to purge Text Styles, look for a (+) sign next to Text Styles
item in the list to indicate the presence of unused styles. Click on the (+)
sign and then click on the unused style to select it. Click on the Purge
button to remove it. Click Yes. Click Close.
The Command in Action:
To purge layers:
1. File  Drawing Utilities  Purge  Layers.
 22

2. At the command prompt “Enter name(s) to be purged<*>:” press

Enter.
3. At “Verify each name to be purged? [Yes/No]<Y>:” press Enter.
The command responds “No unreferenced layers found” if the drawing
has objects on it, and no other empty layers exist. The Purge command
will not purge a current layer. To purge all layers (except for layer0), set
layer0 to current (by selecting it from the Layer drop-down list).

1.7 RENAMING NAMED OBJECTS

Named objects are items that you name when you create them such as
layers, block definition and text style.
Unnamed objects are such as lines, circles, etc. which can’t be named.
For example, to rename a block called CAT:
Format  Rename  choose BLOCKS from the Named Objects list
 highlight the object CAT. Its name appears in the Old Name edit box.
Type the new name in the edit box (to the right of the Rename To
button). Then click Rename To button  click O.K.
NOTE: Layer 0 cannot be renamed.

1.8 SETTING A PROFILE

Saving your custom settings in a Profile (to provide you with the drawing
environment the way you want) enables you not only to restore these
settings, but also to copy your custom settings to another computer.
1. Launch AutoCAD and start a new drawing from scratch.
2. Tools  Options  Profiles tab
The <<Unnamed Profile>> is AutoCAD’s default profile. When you
make changes in the Options dialog box, always check which profile
is current because these changes are immediately saved to the current
profile.
3. Click the Add to List button.
4. In the Profile name text box of the displayed Add Profile dialog
box, type in the name of your profile, for example, My Profile1,
and give a description of it in the Description text box.
5. Click the Apply & Close button.
A copy of whatever profile was current when you created this profile
now appears in the list of Available Profiles.
 23

1.8.1 Modifying a Profile & then Using it

0 Select the profile you wish to modify, e.g. My Profile1, and click
the Set Current button. Any changes that you make now to settings in the
Options dialog box are saved to My Profile1.
1 Click the Display tab, and make any changes you want  click
Apply  click O.K.
2 You can add toolbars to your current profile by displaying it on the
screen as explained later.
3 To rename or delete a profile, highlight it then click the Rename or
Delete button.
Tools Options Profiles  highlight the profile  click
Set Current then click O.K.

1.9 MANIPULATING AutoCAD SCREEN

1.9.1 Removing Scrollbars & Changing Crosshair Size

Tools  Options  Display tab  uncheck the Display Scroll Bars in
Drawing Window  the default size for the Crosshair size is 5%. By
changing it to 100% to have its lines spanning the window, you have the
advantage of being able to line up objects vertically and horizontally on
the screen  click Apply  click O.K.

1.9.2 Turning Fill ON/OFF

You can reduce the time it takes to display or print a drawing by turning
off the display of solid fill such as wide polylines, hatched areas and
solids, and to display them as outlines. You can do this by clearing the
Apply Solid Fill check box in the Display tab of the Options dialog box.

1.9.3 Turning Off the UCS Icon

View  Display  click UCS icon  remove the check mark.
Or, type: UCSICON  and use option ON/OFF
1.9.4 Full-Screen AutoCAD (to enlarge drawing area)
Open the Express toolbar (if it was loaded during installation of
AutoCAD). Right-click any toolbar  Customize  open the Menu
Group drop-down list at the bottom of the dialog box  select Express
 Tools  Full screen AutoCAD.
This hides AutoCAD Title bar and the menu bar. You can then access the
menu bar by pushing the cursor to the top of the screen until you see a
diskette icon, and then clicking and dragging. The menu bar momentarily
appears allowing you to select an option.
 24

To return to standard AutoCAD window, point to the top edge of the

screen until you see the diskette icon, and then click and hold to display
the menu bar. Choose Express  Tools  Full Screen AutoCAD.
NOTE:
If you installed AutoCAD using the Typical Installation option, you may
not have installed the AutoCAD Express tools yet. To install these
utilities, proceed as if you installing AutoCAD for the first time. When
the Setup Choices dialog box opens, click the Add button to add new
components to the current system. You will see an item called Express in
the Custom Components dialog box that appears next. Check the Bonus
check box, and then proceed with the installation. When Setup is finished,
open AutoCAD and load the Express menu.

1.10 TOOLBARS

1.10.1 Docking Toolbar Flyouts

1. Right-click on any button on any toolbar.
2. In the toolbars menu that appears, there are 26 toolbars in all, but only
4 are flyouts (Object Snap, Zoom, Solids and Surfaces). Click Object
Snap. The menu closes and the Object Snap toolbar is now displayed in a
floating mode in the drawing area (i.e. not docked), and with a title bar.
3. Put the cursor on the coloured title bar, hold down the left-mouse
button, drag the toolbar to the side of the drawing area to dock it by
releasing the mouse button, after the rectangle changes its shape.
4. You can drag back this docked toolbar onto the drawing area by using
the grab bar (at the top of the toolbar) and then release the mouse button.
You can also change its shape by dragging its edges.
To remove it, click the (x) button on its title bar.
NOTE:
On the Standard toolbar, the little black triangular arrows on some of the
icons indicate that more commands can be found through these icons.
Click the icon (left-click) and keep holding the mouse button down, then
drag the cursor down the pop-up menu to the desired button. A ToolTip
will identify the button. And then release the mouse button and the
command begins. The last command used from the flyout will replace the
button that was on the Standard toolbar.

1.10.2 Creating Your Own Toolbar

If you keep track of the buttons you use most frequently, you can create
your own custom toolbar containing your favourite tools.
 25

1. Right-click any icon in any toolbar  click Customize.

2. Click on New button in the dialog box.
3. Type, for example, My Toolbar in the Toolbar Name of the New
Toolbar dialog box. This is the name of your new toolbar. Click O.K. a
small blank toolbar appears at the top of AutoCAD screen over the Object
Properties Toolbar. Drag it down into the drawing area. Notice that
ACAD appears in the Menu Group drop-down list and My Toolbar
appears in the Toolbars list. You can now begin to add buttons to your
toolbar.
4. Click Customize in the Toolbars dialog box.
5. Use the Categories drop-down list to find the commands from which
you can drag individual buttons and their icons onto the new toolbar. [If
you click on the icon, a description is found beneath it in the Description
Area]. For example, choose Draw from the list. The list box displays all
the buttons available for the Draw category with several additional
buttons not found in the Draw Toolbar.
6. Click and drag the desired icon from the Customize Toolbars dialog
box into the new toolbar you just created.
7. When you have finished placing all the favourite tools that you wish
on the new toolbar by clicking- and-dragging their icons, click Close to
exit the Customize Toolbar. Then Close (X) the Toolbars dialog box. The
new toolbar now appears as a choice in the Toolbars dialog box.
NOTE: By carefully dragging an icon sideways on the new toolbar, you
can cause a separator bar to be inserted next to the icon.

1.10.3 Removing an Icon from a Toolbar

If you need to remove a button from your toolbar, click-and-drag it out
of your toolbar into the blank area of the drawing while the Customize
Toolbars dialog box is open as follows:
Right-click on any toolbar  select Customize.
In the Toolbars dialog box, select Customize.
Drag the icon that you want to remove from the toolbar and release on the
drawing area.
Close the Customize Toolbars  Close the Toolbars dialog box.

1.10.4 Adding a Toolbar to the Profile

1. Right-click over any existing toolbar.
2. Choose Customize from the shortcut menu.
 26

3. Be sure the ACAD Menu is selected from the Menu Group drop-down
list. Scroll the toolbar list to the toolbar you wish to be displayed in the
profile, and check its box (i.e. click an empty box next to a toolbar name
to display it on the screen). For example, scroll to the top of the Toolbars
list to choose the box next to Dimensions to display the Dimension
toolbar. The current highlighted profile now contains the information
necessary to display the Dimension toolbar.

1.11 SYSTEM VARIABLES

To enter a system variable, type the name and press Enter. To see a list of
hundreds of system variables in AutoCAD and their current settings,
type: SETvar  , type: ? and press Enter 2 or 3 times.

SETTING DIALOG BOX COMMAND

SAVETIME ---------------------------- If you set SAVETIME
and then type to 10, AutoCAD
the required automatically saves
time your drawing file every
10 minutes
Linear units & Drawing Units Format  Units
Precision (From menu bar)
Angular Units Drawing Units As above
& Precision
Grid Spacing & Drafting Settings Right-click the Snap or
Visibility Grid button in Status
bar, then choose
Settings
Snap Spacing Drafting Settings As above
ON/OFF
Drawing Limits --------------------- Type at the command
line: LIMMIN,
LIMMAX
Linetype Scale Linetype Manager Click the Properties
button on the Standard
toolbar, then click
Linetype Scale. Or,
click Bylayer linetype
then click Other.
Dimension Dimension Style Manager Format  Dimension
Scale Style (from the Menu
 27

bar).
Blip Mode to ------------------------- Type: Blipmode 
display (+) then type: ON or OFF.
symbol To remove the blips on
the display, type: R 
.
Text Mirroring ----------------------- Type: Mirrtext. The
when using default <1>, and the
Mirror text will appear
Command inverted. If set to 0, the
text will appear
normal.
Default Value ------------------------ Type: Offsetdist, then
for the OFFSET set a value.
Command
UCS Display ------------------------ Type: USCICON, then
set ON/OFF.
Limits ---------------------- Type: LIMCHECK 
Checking Mode then enter
to prevent you 1 to turn it ON, or
from drawing 0 to turn it OFF.
outside the
Limits.
DIMSCALE Variable:
(To scale up or down all dimension elements such as text, arrows, etc)
0 Type DIMSCALE  . The default <1>.
1 Type in a new value, say 2  . Nothing appears to have happened.
2 Click on the Dimension Update icon on the Dimension toolbar.
3 Select the dimension by clicking anywhere on the dimension (text
or lines)  .
All aspects of the dimension are now affected, in this case, will be
increased to twice its size.
The actual length of a dimension or a dimensioned object is not affected
by this system variable.
 28

2. BASIC DRAWING TECHNIQUES

2.1 The Command Line

2.2 What if You Make a Mistake?
2.3 Precision Techniques (placement of objects in the
drawing)
2.4 Coordinate Display Window
2.5 Object Snap Toolbar
2.6 User Coordinate System (UCS)
2.7 Viewing AutoCAD Drawings
2.8 The Shortcut Menus and Function Keys
 29

2.1 THE COMMAND LINE

The Command Line:
All commands automatically appear in the command line except in text-
command mode. A command can be run by clicking a toolbar button, or a
menu choice, or right-clicking, or typing in the command line and then
pressing ENTER or Space bar (key board shortcuts commands, which are
mostly one or two underlined letters), or typing the coordinates. The
default action in command prompts are included in < > brackets. To
accept it, just press ENTER. The command options appear in [ ] brackets,
and can be activated by typing the letter(s) that appear in upper-case and
then press ENTER.
NOTE: AutoCAD usually adds an underscore or an apostrophe in front
of the command names, e.g. ‘–ZOOM. The underscore is linked to non-
English version of AutoCAD, and the apostrophe indicates a transparent
command, i.e. you can run the command in the middle of another
command without canceling the first command. For example, you can
start the LINE command, run the ZOOM command, and then pick up
where you left off with the LINE command.
Pressing the Esc Key
In the following cases, pressing the Esc key once will free up the
command line:
If a command is not responding the way you expect.
If you want to cancel a command you started.
If you clicked a point on the screen unintentionally.
If a dialog box appears on the screen accidentally.
In other cases, you may need to press ESC key 2 or even 3 times.

2.2 WHAT TO DO IF YOU MAKE A

MISTAKE?
USING UNDO, REDO and OOPS
You may undo as many commands as you like.
Following the Undo command, you may only Redo once, i.e. the last step
you undo.
Typing OOPS reverses only the last ERASE command, even after using
other commands in between.
If you’re using UNDO command to fix a complicated mistake, consider
saving your drawing to a different name before starting the undo process,
or some parts of your work.
 30

NOTES: Typing U undoes a single step, but typing UNDO brings up

several options which are rarely used. UNDO does not work after you
close your drawing and then reopen it.
If you wish to manipulate a drawing and then restore it back to its original
status, type UNDO, press M (for Marker) and then press ENTER. After
finishing the manipulations, type UNDO, BE (for Beginning) and press
ENTER. All changes made are removed.

2.3 PRECISION TECHNIQUE

SATUS BAR DESCRIPTION
SNAP Picks points on an imaginary grid of points at the spacing
that you specified. Right-click SNAP button
SettingsSnap & Grid tab Enter a Snap spacing in
the SnapX Spacing field  O.K. Click SNAP button to
toggle Snap mode on and off. Change to a smaller spacing
as you zoom in and work on smaller areas.
To activate Polar Snap to snap to increment along polar
alignment angles: Select Polar Snap radio button type
the Polar Snap distance  O.K. And then, click the
POLAR button (to turn Polar Tracking on).
ORTHO Constrains the cursor to move at right angles.

POLAR Polar Tracking constrains cursor movement into

( Polar predefined polar alignment angles (90,45,30,22.5,18,15,10
Tracking) & 5 degrees), in similar ways as ORTHO mode constrains
cursor movement horizontally and vertically. The angles
are selected from the Increment Angle drop-down list. You
can set up user-defined angles by:
o Select the Additional Angles option.
o Click the New button, and add your own polar
alignment angles.
To remove user-defined angles, select the angles from the
list, then click delete.
NOTES:
 Using user-defined angles can help you snap to the
angles 30, 60, 90,120, and so on.
 You can temporary constrain cursor movement to any
angle not listed in the Polar Tracking tab by using angle
overrides. For example, to constrain cursor movement to
33 degrees during a command when prompted to specify
 31

the next point, type <33.

When the POLAR toggle button is turned on for Polar
Tracking mode, the cursor jumps to selected angles. Right-
click the POLAR button  Settings  Polar Tracking
tab mark in the Polar Tracking On (F10)  Select an
angle  O.K.
When moving the cursor away from the last picked point,
a dashed line called a temporary alignment path is
displayed along with a ToolTip at selected increment
angles. When a ToolTip is visible, type a distance and
press Enter, to draw a line of that length.
OSNAP Picks points on existing objects to ensure precision, and
( Running lasts for multiple point picks. Use it when doing a lot of
Object editing and selecting from OSNAP toolbar. Right-click the
Snaps) OSNAP button  Settings Object Snap, and choose
object snap modes  O.K.
You click the OSNAP button to toggle running OSNAP
mode on and off.
NOTE: Do not use SNAP and OSNAP at the same time.
OTRACK Helps the cursor locate points based on multiple snap
(Object points. For example, you can pick a point at the centre of a
Snap square by tracking to the midpoints of two perpendicular
Tracking) sides as below:
0 Right-click OSNAP button Settings Object
Snap, and choose Midpoint  O.K.
1 Move the cursor near the middle of one edge of the
square until you see the Midpoint ToolTip, but don’t click
yet. Then move the cursor near middle of the adjacent side
of the square. You should see little (+) sign at both
midpoints you’ve pointed to. Now move the cursor into the
middle of the square until the tracking ToolTip says
“Midpoint 270, Midpoint<180”, and click.
You can use also the Temporary Tracking Point button
on the OSNAP toolbar

ADDITIONAL TOOLS
Coordinates  Absolute Rectangular Coordinates [80,55]
Entry  Relative Rectangular Coordinates [@80,55]
 Relative Polar Coordinates: @distance<n
@ = from last point
 32

distance = drawing units

n = angle
DO NOT LEAVE ANY SPACES
EXAMPLE:
1. To draw a line, issue a Line command by
clicking the Line icon on the Draw toolbar.
Enter the first point as absolute coordinate 0.0
 . In response to the prompt: Specify next
point, type in the polar coordinate @50<45 (a
line 50units long and at 45 degree angle will be
drawn. Press Enter to finish the command.
2. To move (or Copy) a vertical line 25mm to the
right (0-degree direction), issue the Move
command. Click on the line to select, and press
Enter to finish the selection. In response to
Specify base point or displacement, click
near the line. In response to Specify second
point of displacement, type in @25<0 and
press Enter. The line will be moved 25mm to
the right.
Single-point Picks points on existing objects (lasts only for single
Object Snap point pick). For example:
0 Turn off OSNAP mode button.
1 Start the Line command. The command
prompts you to select the first endpoint of the line.
2 Hold down the SHIFT key, right-click in the
drawing area which has some geometry, and release
the SHIFT key. The object snap cursor menu appears.
3 Choose an object mode, such as Endpoint from
the cursor menu. The command line now says: end
of:.
4 Move the cursor so the endpoint object snap
square appears on the endpoint that you want to snap
to and click. The command line prompts you to select
the other endpoint of the line segment.
5 Notice that as you move the cursor around the
drawing, AutoCAD no longer seeks out endpoints.
To snap the other endpoint of the line segment, use
again the “SHIFT+Right-click, release SHIFT”
sequence to display the object snap cursor menu, and
choose Midpoint. Move the cursor near the midpoint
of an object and click.
 33

6 To finish a command. Right-click any where in

the drawing area and choose Enter from the cursor
menu.
Direct Distance Point the cursor in a direction and type a distance,
Entry and then press Enter; when the cross-hair cursor is
anchored to a point and the command line prompts
you for another point or distance. This is usually used
with ORTHO mode turned on. You can also combine
direct distance entry with polar tracking to specify
distances in non-orthogonal directions, e.g., in 45-
angle increments.
Polar Snap Causes the cursor to jump to specific incremental
distances along polar tracking angles by changing the
snap type from Grid snap to Polar snap. For example,
if you turn on polar tracking and set it to 45-degrees
and turn on polar snap set to 5 units, polar tracking
jumps to points that are at angle increments of 45 and
distance increments of 5 units from the previous
point.
Polar snap has a similar effect on OTRACK. Right-
click the SNAP button  Settings  click Polar Snap
radio button on Snap & Grid tab  type a distance
 click O.K. to return back to rectangular snap,
select the Grid snap radio button.

Polar Tracking Vs Object Snap Tracking

If enabled, Polar Tracking and Object Snap tracking display temporary

alignment paths to help you draw or edit objects at specific angles or in
specific relationship to other objects.
(a) Polar Tracking creates temporary alignment paths with a ToolTip
showing relative polar coordinates (the distance and angle from the last
point selected) automatically as you move away from this selected point.
It is similar to ORTHO + Direct Entry except it uses angle increments. It
works independently of OSNAP.
 Right-click POLAR select Settings  check-in Polar Tracking
(F10). Then you can toggle polar tracking on/off by clicking POLAR
button.
LINE draw AB  move the cursor to C and type
15  after the Tooltip displays the set angle increment.
 34

(b) Object Snap Tracking relies on OSNAP and creates alignment paths
based on acquired OSNAP marker. To use Object Snap Tracking:
1. Turn on Object Snap tab of the Drafting Settings dialog box, click
OTRACK, or press F11.
2. Set one or more running object snaps (OSNAPs).
3. At the prompt to specify a point during a command, move the cursor
over an OSNAP marker and briefly pause the cursor over that point to
acquire it, but DO NOT click that point. For example, you can select a
point along a path based on the Endpoint of an object.
When a small (+) appears in the marker indicating that the point is
acquired (provided that AutoSnap markers are enabled), then, as you
move the cursor away from the point, the orthogonal or polar alignment
paths appear and the cursor is constrained to them as you move along the
paths. You can acquire more than one point and use them to specify the
next point. To clear an acquired point, move the cursor back over the
OSNAP marker, or toggle the OTRACK button.
By default, AutoCAD displays alignment paths only at orthogonal angles
(0, 90, 180, 270 degrees) when using object snap tracking. To display
alignment paths at all current polar angle settings:
Drafting Settings dialog box select Polar Tracking tab  select Track
Using All Polar Angle Settings radio button.
NOTE: You can set a Temporary Tracking Point without using OSNAP
markers. By typing TT at any point prompt, AutoCAD prompts for a
temporary OTRACK point. After a point is selected, AutoCAD places a
small (+) at the point indicating that the tracking point is set.
EXERCISE1
OTRACK and Polar Tracking Features

Temporary
Alignment
Path

A B A B
1. Tools  Drafting Settings  Object Snap tab  select Endpoint and
Midpoint. Clear the rest including the Object Snap On and Object Snap
Tracking On.
2. In the Polar Tracking tab: clear the Polar Tracking On option  select
Track Using All Polar Angle Settings and Absolute options  select 30.0
in the Increment Angle drop-down list.
 35

3. In the Snap & Grid tab: clear Snap On & Grid On  select Polar Snap
 set the polar distance to 12  O.K.
4. From the Status bar: click SNAP, POLAR & OSNAP buttons to
activate the Snap grid, Polar Tracking and Object Snap features.
5. Draw toolbar  LINE pick the endpoint of the line at B.
6. Move the cursor away from point B, and notice the dashed alignment
paths appear at 30-degrees increments. This is because you set the
increment angle to 30.0 and selected the Track Using All Polar Angle
option.
7. Move your cursor up to the right of the endpoint until the 60- degrees
alignment path appears and drag your cursor along this path. Notice that
the cursor is constrained to the path, and that it snaps at 12 mm
increment. This is because you set the polar distance to 12 and chose the
Polar Snap option.
8. Pick the line’s endpoint when the ToolTip reads: 24<60, then press
Enter to end the Line command.
9. From the Status bar, click OTRACK button to activate the Object Snap
Tracking feature. Click SNAP and POLAR to turn them off.
10. Draw  LINE  pick the endpoint of the line at A. move the cursor
over the endpoint at A, and when Endpoint OSNAP marker appears,
move the cursor into the marker until a small (+) appears indicating that
Object Snap Tracking is activated for this marker. Do NOT pick the
endpoint. Move the cursor to the left along the Object Snap Tracking
alignment path until the ToolTip reads: Endpoint:<120,Endpoint<180.
Pick the point and press Enter to end the Line command.

EXERCISE2:
(USING TEMPORARY TRACKING POINT)
Settings:
Status buttons (except MODEL): Off.
Endpoint OSNAP: On.
Polar tracking check box: On.
Increment Angle: 90.
Polar measurement: Absolute.

Start Line command.

Click Temporary Tracking Point button on the OSNAP toolbar. The
command prompt: “-line Specify first point: -tt Specify temporary
OTRACK point:” signifies the start of the line command and prompts for
a start point and that the Temporary Tracking Point option has been
selected.
 36

Pick Endpoint OSNAP and pick point (a). A small (+) appears at that
point. The prompt now has: “-endp of Specify first point” added to it. It
signifies that “-endp” (Endpoint OSNAP) was selected and “Specify first
point” is the second prompt for the Temporary Tracking Point option and
calls for specifying the first point of the line.
Move the cursor to the left of point (a), and when the ToolTip appears,
type 300  . A line begins from point (b). Move the cursor above point
(b) and type 600  when you see the temporary alignment path with the
ToolTip. Continue the same with Direct Entry technique for point (d).
Select Perpendicular OSNAP to draw point (e). Press Enter to end the
command.

EXERCISE3:

1. Display the Drafting Settings dialog box:

Object Snap tab: select Endpoint, Midpoint, and Intersection. Turn on
Object Snap and Object Snap Tracking check boxes.
Polar Tracking tab: select 45 degrees Increment Angle, select “Track
Using All Polar Angle Settings”, select “Relative To Last Segment”. Turn
on Polar Tracking.
Click O.K.
2. Start the LINE command.
3. At the prompt to specify the first point, acquire point a. select a one-
time perpendicular object snap by typing <90  , move the cursor over
the hypotenuse to have Deferred Perpendicular ToolTip displayed, then
click the hypotenuse.
4. At the prompt to specify the next point, acquire the Endpoint at B and
the Midpoint at C. Move the cursor until the intersection ToolTip of the 2
orthogonal alignment paths connecting these points is displayed, and then
click to select the point.
5. AutoCAD draws the first line, and then prompts you to specify the
next point. Again, acquire the Midpoint at B and move the cursor along
 37

the 270-degrees relative polar alignment path until the ToolTip is

displayed, then click to select the point.
6. Move the cursor down perpendicular to the hypotenuse, until the
“Relative Polar: Intersection” ToolTip is shown, then click to select the
point. Press ENTER to end the command.

2.4 COORDINATE DISPLAY WINDOW

There are 3 types of coordinate display, which can display either absolute
or relative coordinates, depending on the one selected and the command
in progress.
You can cycle through the various displays in 4 ways:
(1) Clicking the window, (2) F6, (3) Ctrl +D, (4) Right-click in the
display area then select an option.
The 3 coordinate display types are:
Static Display: displays the absolute coordinates of the last picked point,
and is updated whenever a new is picked.
Dynamic Display: displays the absolute coordinates of the screen cursor
and updates continuously as the cursor is moved. This is the default
mode.
Distance and Angle relative to the last point, whenever a command
prompt requesting either a distance or angle is active.
When Static Display is selected, the coordinate display appears grayed-
out although the coordinates of the last selected point are still visible.
With no command in progress, or at an active prompt that does not accept
either a distance or angle as input, you can only toggle between Static
Display and Dynamic Display. At a prompt that does accept or require
either a distance or angle as input, you can cycle among all three display
types.
Absolute rectangular readout is used particularly for specifying the
starting point of an object.
EXERCISE:
COORDINATE DISPLAY WINDOW
Ensure SNAP and ORTH are off.
o Press F6 until the display appears grayed-out.
o Move the cursor within the drawing areas. The coordinate
display remains static.
o Click the coordinate display area. Now, it is no longer
grayed-out.
o Move the cursor and notice that the coordinate display type
now is Distance & Angle.
 38

o Start the LINE command and type a point coordinate. Press

Enter.
o Notice that after a point has been specified, the coordinate
display shows relative polar coordinate as you move the
cursor.
o Type another absolute coordinate and press Enter to
complete the line segment.
o Press F6. The display changes to Dynamic and again in
absolute rectangular format as move the cursor.
o Press F6. The display is now Static Display. The display is
grayed-out and static as you move the cursor.
o Type in another absolute coordinate, and press Enter, to
draw another line segment.
o Now, click in the coordinate display window. The display
type is now back to Distance & Angle, with read-out in
relative polar format.
o Right-click in the coordinate display window. The shortcut
menu shows the 3 display types as OFF (Static Display),
Absolute (Dynamic Display), and Relative (Distance &
Angle). Notice that the Relative option is grayed-out. This
occurs because Relative display is the current mode.
o Choose an Absolute option. The display type changes to
Dynamic Display and the display is again in absolute
Rectangular format.
o Right-click in the Coordinate Display window again and
choose the Relative option. The display type returns to
Distance & Angle, with read-out once again in relative polar
format.
o Press Esc to end the LINE command.

2.5 OBJECT SNAP (OSNAP) FLYOUT

TOOLBAR
For single pick of OSNAP, move the cursor onto the Temporary
Tracking Point button on the Standard toolbar, left-click and hold down
the mouse button (the OSNAP flyout opens and you see all the OSNAP
tools), drag the cursor down the flyout to the desired snap button, and
release the mouse button.
NOTE: The last OSNAP button selected from the flyout toolbar will
replace the Temporary Tracking Point button.
 39

 To display and dock the OSNAP toolbar:

View  Toolbars..
And click Object Snap among the list of available toolbars. Alternatively,
you can right-click on any existing toolbar and select Customize to
display the toolbar menu. Click Object Snap on the menu. The OSNAP
toolbar in a floating mode appears on the screen. Put the cursor on its
coloured title bar and drag it to the side of the drawing area. Releasing the
button will dock it there.

EXAMPLE:
Draw a line and a circle near each other. Move the circle to the end of the
line so that the centre of the circle is located on the end of the line.
1. To draw a line: Click the Line icon on the toolbar (or the Draw drop-
down menu, or type L).
2. Click a point in response to Select the first point: prompt. Move the
cursor and click the second point. Finish the command by pressing Enter.
3. To draw a circle: Click the circle icon on the toolbar (or DrawCircle)
or type c. pick a point as the centre of the circle. Move the cursor to
choose radius and click.
4. To move the circle: Issue the Move command from the toolbar (or
Modify  Move, or type m). Place the pick box over the circle’s
perimeter and click once to highlight it, in response to the Select Objects:
prompt.
5. Press Enter to finish selecting objects.
6. In response to Specify base point or displacement prompt, click on
Snap to Centre from the OSNAP toolbar.
7. In response to the prompt: Cen of, move the mouse to the periphery of
the selected circle when the small coloured pick box appears at the centre
of the selected circle, and click.
8. At the prompt: Specify second point of displacement, click on Snap to
Endpoint from OSNAP toolbar, and move the cursor towards the end of
the line to place the circle, and click.

NOTES:
 The prompt for base point is the exact location from which you
determine the distance and direction of the Move.( SHIFT+ right-click for
OSNAP options). At the prompt: Specify second point of displacement or
< use first point as displacement>, if you press Enter instead of clicking a
point, the object will move a distance based on the coordinates of the
point you selected as a base point, e.g. if the base point coordinates is
{10,15}, the object will move 10 units in the X-axis and 15 units in the
Y-axis.
 40

 If the pick box is too small, type pickbox and increase its value. The
default size is 3.
 If you have running OSNAPs and need to have them off for one pick,
you can click the Snap to None OSNAP button. This cancels all running
OSNAPs for the next pick. If you need running OSNAP turned off for
several picks, click OSNAP and then click it again when you want to re-
activate it.

2.6 USER COORDINATE SYSTEM (UCS)

You can create as many UCSs as you want, saving and recalling them as
needed to simplify your construction of 2D and 3D objects. For example,
when working in 2D, you can relocate and align the UCS with a side of a
fixture oriented at an angle, making it easier to draw the plan view.

To Specify a New UCS origin & X, Y Orientation:

Tools  New UCS  3-Point.
Specify a point for the new origin, where you want to start the drawing.
Click a point to the right of the first point to specify the positive X-axis
direction.
Click a point above points 1-2 to specify the positive Y-axis direction.

To Restore the UCS to the WCS:

Tools  New UCS  World.
Or, click World UCS on the Standard toolbar.
Or, type UCS   .
To Save a UCS:
o Tools  Named UCS.
o In the UCS dialog box, right-click the current UCS
and select Rename.
o Type a new name  .
o Click O.K.
Or, use the Save option of UCS command.

2.7 VIEWING AutoCAD DRAWINGS

2.7.1 Aerial View
 41

View Aerial View

Or: Type: AV  to open the Aerial View window, and then type: AV 
to close it.
Aerial View is useful for large complex drawings. It enables you to view
the whole drawing in a small window within the drawing area, and can be
dragged around the screen, minimized, maximized, and closed.
You cannot draw or edit inside the Aerial View window. Panning and
zooming in the Aerial View window will be reflected in the drawing area.
To view changes and editing made to the drawing in the drawing area:
In menu of the Aerial View window  click Options  tick Dynamic
Update.
You can use the buttons within the Aerial View window to move quickly
within your drawing. By keeping the Aerial View window open as you
work, you can zoom and pan without ever starting a PAN or ZOOM
command.
To pan and zoom using Aerial View:
Click inside the Aerial View window to display a second rectangle, called
the pan and zoom box.
While in Pan mode (indicated by an X in the centre of the box), move the
box to pan to the desired area of the drawing.
In the AV window, click to switch to Zoom mode. In Zoom mode, the
box has an arrow along its right edge.
Move the cursor to change the size of the zoom box.
When you are satisfied with the magnification, click to switch back to
Pan mode. Right-click or press ENTER to lock the current view box in
position.

2.7.2 The Zooming & Panning

 42

(i) Zoom & Pan Realtime Button (on the Standard toolbar)
 Click Zoom Realtime. The cursor changes to a magnifying glass.
Dragging the cursor up will zoom in (i.e. closer view), dragging it down
will zoom out (decrease magnification). Side way motion of the cursor
has no effect on Zoom Realtime.
 Right-click to display the Zoom/Pan Realtime menu, and choose Pan.
The cursor changes to a hand. Move the hand to the required spot to start
panning from. Drag the hand in any direction to pan the drawing to the
view you want. Right-click and choose Zoom Window. Click a point in
the drawing area and then another to define an area to magnified.
 Right-click and choose Exit, or press Esc key.
(ii) A mouse with a scroll wheel:
To zoom in: roll the wheel forward (in).
To zoom out: roll the wheel backward (out).
To pan: hold down the mouse wheel as you move the mouse.
Double-click the mouse wheel to zoom to the extents of your drawing.
By pressing SHIFT while depressing the mouse wheel, panning will be
locked in the horizontal or vertical direction.
Hold down CTRL, drag with depressed wheel, and then release CTRL.
The drawing will keep sliding so long the wheel is depressed.

(iii) The Zoom Toolbar

View  Toolbars  Zoom (or from Standard toolbar)
The Zooming Options:
 Zoom Window: zooms to a section of the drawing specified by
placing a window around it, without the need to first ending Realtime Pan
or Zoom.
 Zoom Extents: zooms out to fit on the screen all the area actually
containing objects, which may be less than the sheet limits.
 Zoom All: If the drawings limits are larger than the extents, Zoom All
will show the entire rectangular area defined by the sheet limits (i.e. the
whole drawing area).
 Zoom Original: restores the view you had prior to using Realtime Pan
or Zoom.
 Zoom Dynamic: Displays a view box enclosing the drawing, and
allows both zooming and panning.
NOTE:
0 Perform Zoom All or Extents and then Save before you close the
drawing. This makes the drawing preview display the full drawing when
referenced.
 43

1 To restore the previous view after zooming and panning, click

Zoom Previous on the Standard toolbar.

(iv) Zooming to a Specific Scale Factor

 Click Zoom Scale from Standard toolbar or Zoom toolbar.
When you change the magnification factor, the portion of the drawing
located at the centre of the current Viewport remains centered on the
screen. You can specify the point you want centered after magnification
by:
Clicking Zoom Center (from the Standard toolbar or Zoom toolbar) 
Specify the centre point  Type the scale factor  .
 To change the magnification of the view relative to the overall size of
the drawing (i.e. the drawing limits):
ZOOM command  Type the magnification scale factor, e.g. typing 2 
will magnify the drawing twice its original size, while typing 0.5  will
reduce the drawing to half its original size.
 To change the magnification of the view relative to the current view,
add X after the magnification scale factor. For example, by typing 2X  ,
the drawing changes to twice its current size.
Alternatively, View  Zoom  Zoom In / Zoom Out.
 When you’re working in Paperspace, you can change the
magnification of the current Model space view relative to Paperspace by
typing XP after the scale factor. It is similar to zooming the drawing
relative to the drawing limits, but it affects only the current Viewport and
scales it to the absolute drawing size. E.g., suppose an object is drawn at
full-size, but you want a side-view drawn at ½ scale. By typing 0.5XP 
and plotting the Paperspace view at full-scale, the side-view will be
shown at half-size.

2.7.3 A Named View

A name you assign to a particular region of your drawing you frequently
switch to so you can return to it quickly by restoring the view. And when
no longer needed, delete it by displaying the View dialog box and then
press Delete key.
1. Zoom and pan to center the view wanted to assign a name to on the
screen.
2. View  Named Views. The New View dialog box is displayed.
3. Click the New button
4. Type a name in the View Name edit box.
 44

5. Ensure the Current Display radio button is selected. This saves the
entire current view as displayed on the screen as the named view.
To name a region (window area) in the currently displayed view, click the
Define Window radio button, then click the Define View Window button
(located to the right of it), and pick 2 corners of the region’s rectangle
(zoom window), as prompted in the command line.
6. Click O.K. Now you see your new named view in the list in the View
dialog box.
7. Click O.K.
To restore a named view:
View  Named Views  select name of the view  click Set Current
button  click O.K.
NOTE: All zoom, pan and view operation apply to Paperspace layouts as
well as to Model space. However, in a Paperspace layout (i.e. ant drawing
area tab excluding the Model tab), the cursor can only be either in
Paperspace or in Model space inside a Viewport.

2.7.4 Creating Tiled Viewports

The Model tab can be split into multiple Viewports, each of which can
display a different portion of the drawing and controlled separately. As
you draw, any changes made in one Viewport are immediately visible in
the others. Click inside anther Viewport to make it current, and then
specify the endpoint of the line.
1. View  Viewports  select desired configuration.
2. In the Viewport s dialog box:
o Select desired Viewport configuration.
o In the “Apply to” box, either choose “Select Display” to
apply the selected Viewport configuration to the entire
Model tab, or choose “Select Current Viewport” to apply the
selected Viewport configuration to the current Viewport.
3. Click O.K.
To Join Adjacent Viewports (as long as the resulting formation is a
rectangle):
1. View  Viewports  Join.
2. Click inside the Viewport containing the view that you want to keep.
3. Click inside the adjacent Viewport to join it to the first Viewport.
 45

2.8 AutoCAD SHORTCUT MENU &

FUNCTION KEYS

2.8.1 SHORTCUT MENU

0 Alt + underlined letter from menu.
1 Default menu: Right-click in the drawing area with no command
in progress, and no object selected.
2 Edit menu: Right-click with no command in progress, but with
objects being selected.
3 Command-mode menu: Right-click with a command in progress
to display options that are tailored to the command.
4 Dialog-mode menu: Right-click in a dialog box or dialog box tab.
NOTE: 3, 4, and 5 display varying options depending upon the context.
5 Toolbars floating menu: Right-click on any toolbar and tick
required flyout toolbar, and then move it to a suitable location on the
screen.
6 OSNAP cursor menu: SHIFT + Right-click
7 Command-line menu: Right-click over the command line. The
menu will include the last six commands that you ran, plus options to
resize and re-locate the command-line area. (Do not change the default).
NOTES:
Try right-clicking over the drawing area and then over the standard
toolbar to see the context-sensitive menus in action.
 You can re-start the command that just ended by pressing Enter, or
by right-clicking and then clicking the top item on the shortcut menu.

2.8.2 FUNCTION KEYS

F1: Help F6: Cycles through the 3-

F2: Toggles the text screen coordinate display types.
ON/OFF. Also to rename a layer, F7: Toggles the Grid ON/OFF.
after highlighting it. F8: ORTHO mode ON/OFF.
F3: Toggles OSNAP F9: Toggles the Snap ON/OFF.
F4: F10: Polar Tracking ON/OFF.
F5: To cycle through 3-isoplane F11: Toggles OSNAP Tracking.
modes in Isometric Snap Mode.

3. DRAWING COMMANDS
 46

3.1 Polyline
3.2 SPline
3.3Rectangle
3.4 Arcs
3.5Circle
3.6 Donut
3.7 Polygons
3.8 Ellipses
3.9 Solid
3.10 Boundary
DISPLAYING INFO ABOUT THE DRAWING

0 Information about Objects

1 Calculating areas
2 Distance
3 Status
4 Time
5 ID Point
 47

 3.1 POLYLINE
A polyline is a connected sequence of lines and arcs that is treated as a
single object.
Click the Polyline button on the Draw toolbar.
Click a point or type a coordinate for the starting point.
Press ENTER to accept < 0.00> current line-width, or change it to zero
or any other value by typing w  0  .
Specify ending width or press  to accept same starting width.
Specify next point by typing: @ and enter coordinate and press ENTER,
or with ORTHO move the cursor and type a length.
To continue the line with a curved segment, type A  (or right-click and
select Arc). The prompt now shows options similar to the arc command.
Specify the chord length (or end point of the arc by clicking a point or
typing coordinates, included angle and radius).
To finish drawing segments, press ENTER or type c (Close)  .

EXERCISE1:

1. Click Polyline. “Specify start point”. Select a point to start the arrow.
2. “Current line width is 0.00. Specify next point or [Arc/ Half Width/
Length/ Undo/ Width]. Type w  .
3. “Specify starting width <0.00>”:  .
4. “Specify ending width <0.00>”, type: 8  .
5. “Specify next point or […]”, type @15,0  for the length of arrow.
6. “Specify next point or […]”, type w  to specify width of the next
segment.
7. “Specify starting width <8.00>”, type 4  .
8. “Specify ending width <8.00>”:  to keep the same width.
9. “Specify next point or […]”, type L  .
10. “Specify length of line”, type 40  .
11. “Specify next point or […]”, type A  (for Arc).
12. “Specify end point of arc or […]”, type A  (for Angle).
13. “Specify included angle”, type: -90.
14. “Specify end point of arc or […]”, type R  (for Radius).
 48

15.”Specify radius of arc”, type: 30  .

16. “Specify direction of chord for arc <0>”, type -45  .
17. “Specify end point of arc or […]”, type L  (for line).
18. “Specify next point or […]”, type L  (for length).
19. “Specify length of line”, type 40  .This completes the left-turn
arrow.
20. With ORTHO on, "Specify next point or […]”, type: A  type: w
 Press  to accept <4.00> width  type: 0.00  for ending width 
move the cursor to the left and type: 50  for the length of the chord
type: L   move the cursor upward and type: 70  .
21. Press ENTER to end the Pline command.

 3.2 SPLINE.
SPLine is a curve created by picking several points. It will go through the
first and last points, and as close as it can to those in between, depending
on the set tolerance.
1. SPLine. Click a point at the prompt: "Specify first point or Object".
2. Click the second point at the prompt: "Specify next point".
3. The prompt now; "Specify next point or [close/ Fit tolerance] <start
tangent>. If tolerance = 0, the curve will go through the picked points.
The curvature joining the first and last points will become flatter as the
tolerance is increased.
4. Press ENTER after clicking the last point.
5. The prompt: "Specify start / end tangents", and the cursor jumps to the
first point picked. Notice the curvature as you move the cursor around the
point, and click. To accept the default start and end tangents, press   .
EXERCISE2:
(Creating a Vase)

1. Click LINE icon.

2. Type M  (for multiples).
3. Click points to form a profile of one side of the vase.
For accuracy: set ORTHO on and Endpoint OSNAP running:
 49

SHIFT +Right-click and choose From OSNAP click B (for base point)
 type: @0,3  (offset for point C)  move the cursor to the left and
type 5  to get Ć continue with the same steps for one side profile.
4. MIRROR the profile with a window selection.
5. Type PE  and join the line segments to form a pline. Join and close
the pline if necessary (check with section 4.3.15).
Now, to create smooth curves:
6. Type PE   [Type M  in case of multiple plines]  select the
object  .
7. The prompt is to enter an option: " Close/ Open/ Join/ Width/ Fit/
Spline/ Decurve/ Ltype gen/ Undo". Type F  (for arc -fit pline). If not
satisfactory, type D  to remove the curvature  type S  to use
Spline curve  press  to end the command.

 3.3. RECTANGLE
1. Click the Rectangle button.
2. The prompt is “First Corner Point or [chamfer/ Elevation/ Fillet/
Thickness/ Width]”. Type w   type width   type f  type
fillet radius   Click or specify the first corner point.
3. “Specify Other Corner point or [Dimension]:” Click or specify the
second corner. If you know the dimensions of the rectangle, e.g., 100
units long by 75 units high from the first corner, then type @100,75.
To use [Dimension] option instead: type D   type : 100  
type:75   click near the location of the second corner.
The resulting rectangle is aligned parallel to the current UCS.

 3.4 ARC

The Arc command from the Draw drop-down menu gives 10 options
along with their 3 components, and an 11th option to Continue the last arc
drawn. AutoCAD defines arcs counter-clockwise, so pick a start point in
a counter-clockwise direction to the endpoint.
The Arc command requires 3 pieces of information:
 3-Points: the first point is the start point, the second is the endpoint,
and the third point is any point between those two.
 Start, Center: the third piece of data can be the endpoint, an
included angle, or the length of the chord. Counter-clockwise arcs are
 50

drawn if the included angle is positive. A positive chord length draws a

minor arc (<180-degree).
 Start, End: plus supplying either the angle, length of chord or
endpoint. A negative length creates a major arc, and a negative angle
draws the arc clockwise.
 Start, End, Direction: the Direction refers to a line that is tangent
to the arc.
1. Draw BC ORTHO to AB
2. ARC (Start,End,Direction)
3. Click B  click A  click C (for direction)
4. Erase BC.

Angle: The included angle which the arc sweeps out (i.e. the angle
between the 2 lines joining the arc center to its start and endpoints). An
angle of 180-degrees angle is a semi-circle.
Length of Chord: The length of an imaginary straight line connecting
the start and endpoint of the arc.
Endpoint: Is where the arc ends. It is the default option and is often the
easiest to use.
Second Point: this is the default option. It is not the endpoint, but a point
on the arc that along with the start and endpoints defines the curvature.
After you enter the second point, you must enter an endpoint to complete
the arc.
DEMONSTRATION:
(Using the default Start point/ Second Point/ Endpoint)
1. Click the ARC button.
2. “Specify Start point of arc or [Center]”. Click a point or type
coordinates to specify the start point.
3. “Specify second point of arc or [Center/End]:”. Specify the second
point by clicking a point or type coordinate. The second point lies
somewhere along the curve of the arc. AutoCAD will determine
the exact curvature of the arc after you choose the final endpoint in
the following step. If you want the second point to align with an
existing object, use OSNAP.
4. “Specify endpoint of arc”. The prompt is to specify the other
endpoint of the arc, and as you move the cursor around, you see an
image of the arc. Specify the other endpoint of the arc by clicking
or typing a coordinate.
NOTES:
 When you’re drawing an alternating series of lines and arcs, disregard
the first prompt “Specify First (or Start) point” and press ENTER instead.
 51

 Continue Option: is used to draw an arc tangent to and extending

from last object drawn.
Draw menu  Arc  Arc/ Continue  specify end point.
 Changing the Shape of the Arc: Select the arc Select the grips that
are displayed on the arc  move them to modify the shape  Esc.
EXERCISE3:
(Drawing a Door)
EXERCISE 2 EXERCISE 3

ORTHO, Endpoint OSNAP: On.

0 LINE  click A  move cursor down and type 72   move
the cursor towards C and type 4   move the cursor up and type 72 
 type c  to close.
1 LINE  click B  move the cursor towards E and type 72   .
2 ARC (Start, Center, End)  click E (Start point, since arcs are
drawn CCW)  move the cursor to B (Center) and click  click A (End
point).
3 Erase line BE.
EXERCISE4:
(To Draw a Double-hung Door)
ORTHO, OSNAP Endpoint & Midpoint: On. To draw the left door:
LINE  click A  mobe the cursoe down and type 75   move the
cursor to C and type 75   move the cursor up and type 75  .
Erase line BC.
ARC (Start, Center, Angle)
Click B (Start point)  move the cursor to the midpoint of A and B and
click (Center)  type 180  (because the arc is half a circle, its included
angle is 180-degrees).
To draw the right door: ARC (Start, Center, Length).
Click D (Start point)  click midpoint of CD (Center point)   type
75  (Length of chord).

 3.5 CIRCLE
Pick for the circle centre point  define radius or diameter  move
it into place: click MOVE  select the circle   (a) Shift+ right-
 52

click & select Quadrant OSNAP  pick a point near relevant extremity
(the circle is now attached to the cursor at the selected quadrant) or, (b)
select Center OSNAP and pick the perimeter  turn on relevant OSNAP
(e.g. Endpoint) and pick the point to lock the circle in place.

Circle Command Options:

 Center Point: Type or pick the center point, and you’re prompted for a
<radius> or diameter. Type D  to override the radius default. You can
enter a value or pick 2 points to indicate the distance. The second point
you pick merely indicates the diameter’s distance, but the circle does not
pass through this second point, however.
 3P (3 Points): Use this option to specify the circumference by entering
or picking 3 points.
 2P: Use OSNAP and click 2 points to be the diameter.
 TTR: Select 2 lines, arcs, or circles (any combination) that form
tangents to the circle. Then specify the circle’s radius. Note that you may
encounter a message “Circle does not exist” if the radius specified is too
small.
EXERCISE5:
(Placing Circles using TTR option)

Issue CIRCLE command.

Respond to the prompt “Specify Center point or [3P/ 2P/ TTR]” by
typing T to indicate the tangent/tangent/radius option.
Switch OSNAP on. Respond to “Specify point on object for first tangent
of circle” by resting the cursor anywhere on the circumference of the
circle at. Note that the appearance of the tangent OSNAP symbol and
the label Deferred Tangent on the circle’s circumference. Pick to
establish the tangent object.
For “Specify point on object for second tangent of circle”, rest the
cursor anywhere on the line. Note the appearance of the tangent
OSNAP symbol and the label Deferred Tangent on the line. Pick to
establish the second tangent object.
At the “Specify radius of circle”, type 500  .
The circle is drawn (shown dotted).
 53

EXERCISE6:
(CENTERING A FAN SYMBOL IN A RECTANGLE)

Locate the circle's center using OTRACK:

Right-click OTRACK  Settings  Midpoint OSNAP check in F3 &
F11  click O.K.
0 CIRCLE (Center, Diameter).
1 Move the cursor over point A to see the triangle marker, and then
move the cursor inside the triangle to acquire this point as indicated by
the (+) sign (but don't click)  move the cursor directly above to display
the vertical alignment path and then to point B, and then inside the
displayed triangle marker to acquire the point (but don't click)  move
the cursor straight to the center and click when the cursor snaps to the
intersection of the alignment paths  type 50  (for diameter).
2 To draw the top arc of the fan:
ARC (Start, End, Angle)  SHIFT + right-click and choose
Quadrant OSNAP  click point C (Start)  click the center (End)
 type 180  (Angle).
3 The same applies for the bottom arc.

EXERCISE7:
(Tan, Tan, Tan Option)

ORTHO ON.
0 LINE  SHIFT + right click and choose Intersection  click A
then click B.
1 CIRCLE (Tan, Tan, Tan) to draw a circle tangent to 2 arc's and a
line.
2 Move the cursor over line AB and click  move the cursor over
the right arc and click  move the cursor over the left arc and click.
3 Erase AB.

 3.6 DONUT
 54

This command is to create 2 concentric circles with the space between

them filled (e.g. cross-section of a pipe). Also used to create a filled circle
with the inside diameter being zero (solid circle).
0 Start the Donut command.
1 “Specify inside diameter of donut <….>”. Type a value  .
2 “Specify outside diameter of donut <…>”. Type a value  .
3 “Specify center of donut or <exit>. Pick or type the center point of
donut.
4 Press ENTER to finish.

 3.7 POLYGON
(Equal Length, from 3 to 1024 Sides)

For the same

Radius, notice
Size of polygon
Circumscribed Inscribed

The steps involved are:

1. Start the Polygon command.
2. Enter number of sides and press ENTER.
3. “Specify Center of polygon or [Edge]”. Choose whether you want
to define the polygon by specifying its center (picking a point or
typing a coordinate) or the endpoints of an edge.
4. “Enter an option [Inscribed in circle/ Circumscribed about circle]”.
This prompt asks whether the polygon will be inscribed or
circumscribed about an imaginary circle whose radius you’ll
specify in the following step. If you choose an “Inscribe in Circle”,
all vertices of the polygon fall on the circle. If you use the pointing
device to specify the radius, you dynamically determine the
rotation and size of the polygon. If you specify the radius of the
circle by typing a specific entry, the angle at the bottom edge of the
polygon equals the current snap rotation angle, usually 0-degree
(the bottom side will be aligned parallel to X-axis of the current
UCS).
5. “Specify first endpoint of edge. Specify second endpoint of edge”.
If you place the polygon by specifying its edge, these prompts
enable you to specify the endpoint of one edge. (Enter radius of
circle).

NOTES:
 55

 You can not OSNAP to the center of a polygon.

 If ORTHO is turned on when you type a distance or click a point,
the polygon will be aligned orthogonally.
 Polygon command is a convenient way to draw equilateral
triangles.

 3.8 ELLIPSES

END ANGLE

START
END ANGLE START

Ellipses have a major (long) axis, and minor (short) axis.

The default is that you specify the 2 endpoints of its minor or major axis,
and then specify an endpoint on the other axis (a distance representing
half-length of the second axis).
1. Click Ellipse.
2. “Specify axis endpoint of ellipse or [Arc/Center]”. To accept the
default, pick or type the first endpoint of one axis.
3. “Specify other endpoint of axis”. Pick or type the other endpoint of
one axis.
4. “Specify distance to the other axis or [Rotation]”. Pick or type the
endpoint of the other axis (i.e. half-width). If you choose R  , AutoCAD
prompts for angle and then complete the ellipse. The Angle specifies the
ratio of the major axis to the minor axis. An angle 0 defines a circle. The
maximum angle acceptable is 89.4-degrees, which yields a flat ellipse.

The other options for drawing an ellipse:

 The Center option: In this option, you draw the ellipse by

specifying (1) its center point, (2) one endpoint of its major axis, and (3)
one endpoint of its minor axis.
EXERCISE8:
Draw a Sink.
Click Ellipse button.
 56

Type c  to select Centre option.

Ensure Midpoint OSNAP running. Click the Temporary Tracking Point
OSNAP and then move the cursor near the midpoint of the counter (at A)
and click to establish a tracking point (small (+)).
Move the cursor directly above the tracking point, and when you see the
tracking path and ToolTip, type 200  .
The prompt is for the location of the ends of 2 perpendicular axes. Using
polar tracking and direct entry, hold the cursor near B and type 175  ,
then hold the cursor near C and type 125  . This completes the sink.

 The Arc option: This option generates an Elliptical Arc rather than
a full ellipse, i.e. an arc cut from an ellipse. Alternatively, you can draw a
full ellipse and use TRIM or BREAK to cut a piece out of it.
EXERCISE9:
Drawing Arcs, Circles & Elliptical Arcs

0 OSNAP (with Endpoint & Center point): ON

1 ORTHO & POLAR: OFF
iii OTRACK: On
(a) TO DRAW AN ARC (Start, End, Angle):
Draw  Arc  Start, End, Angle.
Click endpoint (A) to define start point. Because Endpoint OSNAP is
turned ON, point (B) is automatically snapped to.
Click (B), then type 180  . The arc with 180-degrees included angle is
drawn counterclockwise from start-to-finish.

(b) TO DRAW THE CIRCLE (Center, Radius):

0 Draw  Circle  Center, Radius
1 Select edge of the arc to specify same center point (the centre point
of the circle snaps to center of the arc.
2 Specify the radius  .

(c) TO DRAW AN ELLIPTICAL ARC:

 57

If you want to draw the elliptical arc in hidden linetype, click the Layers
Control button and select Hidden.
1. Draw  Ellipse  Arc
2. Click (C), the click (D) to specify the first axis endpoint. An image
ellipse is now attached to the cursor. To delete one side of this
ellipse (i.e. to make it an elliptical arc), continue as below.
3. Type @25<180. the 25mm being the half-width of the other axis.
An <0 will show the deleted arc instead of the one shown.
4. Type 0 to specify start of the arc to be deleted, then type 180 to
specify end of the arc.

 3.9 SOLID
Draw  Surfaces  2D Solid
Click A  Click B Click C  Click D  .
Press  to repeat the Solid command.
Click A  Click B Click D  Click C  .
Type: FILL   type OFF or ON to control display of solid fills 
Click View  Regen.

 3.10 BOUNDARY
(To Create a Pline Boundary Superimposed Over a Closed Area)

1. Draw  Boundary.
2. In the Boundary Creation dialog box, click Pick Points button.
3. At the prompt to select an internal point, click any where inside the
wall (outside the door). The area is analyzed and the boundary of
the area that encloses the picked point is highlighted (provided that
it is totally enclosed).
4. Press  to exit the selection and create the pline.
To check that a new pline is now sitting on top of the existing area:
Type M  to move the created pline.
Type L  to select Last object created.
Press  to exit selection.
Click inside the drawing and move the cursor. The superimposed pline
moves with the cursor.
Press Esc.

EXERCISE10:
 58

A. Set up:
0 Select Template (from AutoCAD opening window)
1 Click acadiso.dwt (stretch the new drawing’s window if necessary
to fill AutoCAD drawing window).
2 Choose the Limits: Press  to accept <0.00,0.00> for lower-left
corner. Type 2500,2000  for upper-right corner. Consider a plot scale
of 1 : 10.
3 Right-click SNAP button  Settings  Snap On checked, Grid On
checked, Snap X, Snap Y spacings set 15, Grid X, Grid Y spacing set to
125  O.K.
4 View  Zoom  All to see entire area defined by the limits.
5 Type LTScale  and type 5  (try linetype scale half the drawing
scale factor of 10).
6 Dimension  Style  click Modify click Fit tab and change Use
Overall Scale to 10  click O.K.  Close.
B.1 Drawing a Rectangle:
1. Click the Layers button  click New type GAME as the name of
the new layer  click Current button  click the colour “white”
choose Cyan colour  O.K.
2. Click the Rectangle button.
3. Click a point in the drawing area to specify first corner of the rectangle.
Locate this by observing the coordinate display area. To specify the other
corner of the rectangle, type (say): @900,900  .
B.2 Drawing a Circle:
1. Create a new layer and name it ZONES. Assign it a colour green.
2. Click the Circle button. At the prompt “Specify center point for
Circle or […], click a point near 950,675. At the prompt “Specify
radius of circle or [Diameter]”, type D  , type 275  .
B.3 Using a Polyline to Draw Triangles:
Create a new layer and give it the name SOLDIERS, assign it the colour
red, and set it current.
Click the polyline button.
Turn off OSNAP, and click a point for the “start point”. To specify the
next point, turn on ORTHO, move the cursor up (to just above the top of
the circle) and click. To specify the next point (to be aligned horizontally
with the center of the circle), turn off ORTHO mode, turn on OSNAP,
 59

move the cursor to the centre of the circle until you see the Centre object
snap ToolTip appear, but don’t click. Move the cursor horizontally until
the tracking ToolTip says “Center: 275<180” and click. Now, type c  to
close the polyline.
B.4 Zoom & Pan:
Click the Zoom Realtime button (looks as a magnifying glass with +/-
sign). The cursor changes to magnifying glass. Move the cursor near the
middle of the screen, press and hold the left muse button, and drag the
cursor up and down to have a better view of the drawing. Right-click and
choose pan from the menu. The cursor changes to a hand. If you lost
track, Zoom Original or Zoom Extents. Right-click in the drawing area
and choose Exit.
B.5 Making an Array:
0 Click Array button.
1 Click the Polar Array button click Select Objects button (or type
at command line for AutoCAD 2000).
2 At the prompt “Select Objects”, turn off SNAP mode (to make
object selection easier). Click the triangle, click the circle, and then press
ENTER.
3 In the Array dialog box (for AutoCAD 2002), click Pick Center
Point button. To specify centre point of the array (which is the centre
point of the rectangle), you use tracking. Right-click OSNAP  Settings
 click Midpoint (to activate)  O.K.  .Move the cursor near the
middle of the top edge of the rectangle until you see the Midpoint
OSNAP ToolTip, but don’t click. Then move the cursor near the middle
of the right edge of the rectangle. You should see little (+) at both
midpoints that you’ve pointed to. Finally, move the cursor into the middle
of the rectangle, until the tracking ToolTip says “Midpoint 270, Midpoint
<180), and click. (Make sure that in the Array dialog box, the total
number of items is 4, Angle to fit is 360 and click the Preview button to
see what the array will look like if you accept the current settings). Click
O.K.
B.6 Using Stretch:
• Click Stretch button.
• At the prompt “Select objects..”, click a point above and to the
right of the upper-right corner of the rectangle. Then move the
cursor left and click a point below and to the left so that it encloses
the circle and triangles on the right. Press ENTER to end object
selection.
 60

• At the prompt “Specify base point or displacement”, turn on SNAP

and ORTHO. Click a point on or near the right edge of the
rectangle.
• At the command “Specify second point…”, move the cursor to the
right and then click.
AutoCAD stretches the rectangle by the distance specified and moves the
objects that were inside the crossing window.
B.7 Using Move:
1. Turn off OSNAP.
2. Click the Move button.
3. At the prompt “Select objects”, click the objects that you want to
move  .
4. At the prompt “Select base point or displacement”, click a base
point near the objects that you want to copy.
5. Move the cursor to the location where you want to place them and
click.
EXERCISE11:

A. Drawing the Profile:

1. Create a layer called FRAME, and make it current.
2. Start the Line command and type 100,100  for point A.
3. With ORTHO on and the cursor placed to the right of A, specify point
B using Direct Distance Entry by typing 170  (or use relative polar
coordinate: 170<0  ) .
Now, to draw alternating series of lines and arc:
4. Start the Arc command. Press ENTER to activate the Continue option
of the Line command and starts the arc tangent to the last line or arc
drawn. In this case, pressing ENTER (instead of specifying first point)
will continue from point B. Specify point C by picking it, or typing its
coordinate: 140<180  .
5. Restart the Line command. At the “Specify first point” prompt, press
ENTER to activate the Continue option of the Line from the last specified
point (here, point C).
 61

6. At the prompt “Specify length of the Line”, type 170 .

7. Type c  (Close) to draw line D-A.

B. Setting up the Center Lines:

Method (i)
From the Layer Control drop-down, make the Center Line layer current.
Set the right snap increment and make SNAP mode on.
1. LINE command. Respond to “Specify first point” prompt by pressing
F6 key until the Coordinates Display shows absolute coordinates. Then
find and pick for point K. To specify the next point (point L), with
ORTHO on, move the cursor to the right and use direct distance entry.
Press ENTER to close the Line command.
2. Restart the Line command by pressing ENTER or the Spacebar.
Respond to the “Specify first point “prompt by typing coordinate for E.
3. Click ORTHO on. Use direct distance entry by moving the cursor
above point E and type the distance for point F. press ENTER.
4. Use Offset command to draw G-H.

Method (ii)
Start Line command and activate Midpoint OSNAP.
Offset D-A to pass through K (by typing the offset distance), Offset D-C
up to pass through F, and Offset A-B down to pass through E.
Use FILLET (if radius isn’t 0, then type r  , type 0  ) and click the
offset line that passes through K with the first horizontal offset line. The
lines extend to meet each other at a right-angle. The offset lines. Press
ENTER to restart the FILLET command and pick the offset lines at the
other adjacent ends. Line D1-A1 is now drawn.
Offset D1-A1 left to draw the center lines.
Erase the guide lines.

Method (iii): Using "From" OSNAP

To draw line KL:
1. LINE  SHIFT + right-click and choose FROM  SHIFT + right-
click and choose Endpoint  click A (to define the base point)  to
define the offset (i.e. point K) from the base point: type @-15,70  .
With ORTHO on, move the cursor to the right and type the distance for
KL. Continue with the drawing as previous.

C. Drawing Multiple Circles using @:

1. Start the Circle command.
 62

2. Use Intersection OSNAP, pick the center. Move the cursor and watch
the radius and circle follow as you drag. The coordinate display should
show changing x,y coordinates. If it doesn’t, click on the display pane
until it does, then click twice on the display to change to polar. When the
display reads 50.00@,0.00 click (or specify radius and press ENTER).
3. Press ENTER to restart the Circle command. At the specify center
prompt, type @  . When entered at any AutoCAD “point” prompt, the
@ automatically enters the last point entered (in this case, the center point
of the circle you just drew).
4. At “Specify radius of circle or [Diameter]”, type D  to specify
diameter, then type 80  .

EXERCISE12:
(Using "Perpendicular" &"Apparent Intersection" OSNAP)

1. Click LINE to draw line CD.

2. With Apparent Intersection on, click AB.
3. Move the cursor over XY, and click for point C
where the Apparent Intersection marker appears
(which is the projection of AB).
4. Move the cursor left and click for point D when the Perpendicular
marker appears.

DISPLAYING INFO ABOUT THE DRAWING

 Information about Objects:

 FORMAT  Unit  choose 0.00 Precision  O.K

 Tools Inquiry List.
 Select object(s) then press Enter. The Text Window displays: The
object type, the layer on which the object is drawn, whether the object is
drawn on Model space or Paperspace, the object handle, the location of
the object relative to the current UCS, and the size of the object.
If the selected object is a line, you get the coordinates of the first and
endpoint of the line, its length, Delta X and Delta Y (which are the length
of the projections along the X- and Y-axes)
 Switch back to the drawing area by pressing F2.
 63

 Calculating The Area:

Tools Inquiry Area

The displayed prompt “Specify first corner point or [Object,
Add/Subtract]” gives 3 options:
1. Area defined by points (the default): Specify corners of a layout in
sequence, and then press ENTER. Note that you don’t need to re-specify
the first corner to close the polygon for which the perimeter and area are
required.
2. Area of a closed object: Type O  (or right-click and select Object),
then select the object by pointing to display the area and perimeter (or
circumference).
3. Calculating combined areas (by adding then subtracting to find the
total net area).

EXAMPLE1:
(a) to calculate the total area of the gasket:
1. Set Precision to 0.00, and type: BLIPMODE , type: On  (to
display the blips when you click, so that you keep track of objects you
selected. Switch it Off when you're finished).
2. Tools  Inquiry  Area
3. Type A  for ADD mode (or right-click and select Add).
4. Type O  to select closed objects.
5. Select the outline of the gasket. The command line displays the total
area and perimeter of the gasket. Press ENTER to finish ADD mode.
(b) to calculate the net area of the gasket:
6. S  (or right-click and select Subtract).
7. Type O  .
8. Select one of the circles. AutoCAD displays the area and
circumference of the selected circle.
9. Select the other circle.
10. Press ENTER to finish SUBTRACT mode and display the net area.
11. Press ENTER to finish the Area command.
12. Type: R to refresh the screen and remove the blips
(c) If you want to type the areas on the drawing:
 64

Type: TEXT  Click a point where you want to place the text  type
the text height   type: "TOTAL AREA = mm"  .

EXAMPLE2:
CALCULATING THE AREA OF A PLAN DRAWING
(Trace the plan first with a pline to have the area fully closed).
Endpoint OSNAP is On, and Object Snap (F3) is checked.

1. View  Regen (to correct display of arcs and circles).

Pline  draw a polyline to trace the outline of the plan, using zoom and
pan as necessary. Click A, click B, click C,… click S. Press ENTER.
The arc segment between S and A must be traced with an arc, and then
joined to the just drawn pline (using the J option of the PEdit).
ARC  3 Points  click S (as the start point)  SHIFT + right click
then select Nearest OSNAP  click on the arc to specify the second
point  click on A to specify the end point.
PE   hold down CTRL key and click on the last pline segment to the
right of S  release CTRL  at the prompt:< Cycle On >, click again
and again on the same line to cycle through the overlapping objects until
the pline drawn is highlighted, then press ENTER to exit the Cycle mode.
Type: J   click on the arc you just drew to add it to the pline .
Press ENTER to end the command.

To calculate the area:

Tools  Inquiry  List.
Type: L  (to select the last object drawn).
Press  to display the information about the selected object. Note the
area figure (in unit of the drawing file).
Press F2 to close the Text window.

The Distance
Tools  Inquiry  Distance
 65

Use OSNAP to specify the first and second points. The distance between
the 2 points is displayed in the top line of the command prompt area.

 The Drawing Status:

Tools  Inquiry  Status
The text window will information about the drawing: its name, number of
objects , its limits, insertion base point, snap & grid settings, space,
current layer + color + linetype, current elevation and thickness, current
settings for Fill, Grid, etc, OSNAP modes, and free hard disc space.

 Time Spent Working on the Drawing:

Tools  Inquiry  Time
The displayed information are: date and time the drawing was originally
created and most recently saved, the total amount of time spent on the
drawing, Elapsed Time (turn it ON/OFF) to time your work, and the time
remaining until the next automatic backup.
Press ENTER (or Esc) to end the Time command.

NOTE: Much of this information is also available on the Statistics tab:

File  Drawing Properties  Statistics tab.
In the Custom tab of the Drawing Properties, you may assign specific
information about the current file to keep track of your work.

 ID Point (Coordinates of any Point on the

Screen)

Tools  Inquiry  ID
Use OSNAP and click any point on the screen (whether on an object or in
a blank area) to display its coordinates. You can connect 2 distant points
by just reading their coordinates using the F2 key.
 66

4. EDITING TECHNIQUES

4.1 How to SELECT OBJECTS & ERASE Them.

4.2 GRIPS EDITING for Unnamed Objects

4.3 The Modify Toolbar:

4.3.1 Move
4.3.2 Copy
4.3.3 Rotate
4.3.4 Offset
4.3.5 Mirror
4.3.6 Array
4.3.7 Fillet
4.3.8 Chamfer
4.3.9 Scale
4.3.10 Stretch
4.3.11 Trim & Extend
4.3.12 Break
4.3.13 Lengthen
4.3.14 Measure & Divide
4.3.15 PEdit

4.4 Changing Objects Properties

 67

EDITING TECHNIQUES

Command-First Editing (Verb/ Noun object selection)

(1) Enter the modifying command first, and (2) Select the object(s) on
which the command works. [This order is unique to AutoCAD].

4.1 HOW TO SELECT OBJECTS

When you modify an object you must include it in a selection set by
typing coordinates or by using the pick box.
 Picking: If no command is running, grips appear on the selected
objects and the objects ghosts. If a command is running and you are being
prompted to select objects, grips do not appear, but the object is selected
and ghosts.

 Window Selection (Implied Windowing): If no command is

running, or if the prompt line says Select Objects:, clicking a location that
is in an empty portion of the screen will start a window. As you move the
cursor to the right, a regular window will be formed. If you move the
cursor to the left, a crossing window will be formed.

 REGULAR  CROSSING
SELECTION
Selects Objects Completely Enclosed Selects Objects Enclosed &
Crossing (ghosts)

NOTES: You have to press Enter when you are finished selecting
objects. You may need to turn off OSNAP and OTRACK in the Status
bar when selecting objects to avoid confusion.
You can also start regular or crossing window by typing w Enter or c
Enter respectively
When a prompt for object selection or a numeric value exists at the
command line, right-clicking is equivalent to pressing ENTER.

 The Command Line Displays Select Objects :

The following methods are useful for selecting several objects:

 68

1. All: This selects all objects in the drawing except those on layers that
are thawed (frozen or locked). This is useful if you wish to move the
whole drawing to a new location on the page.
2. L: for the last object you worked on will be selected, (last object(s)
that was edited or changed).

3. P: is for previous selected object will be selected.

4. F: for fence. Select points on the screen through which AutoCAD

draws a fence line, and press ENTER. Objects which the fence crosses
are selected.

5. CP: Crossing Polygon. Construct it the same way as the fence. All
objects within or crossing the polygon are selected.

6. WP: Lets you select objects by enclosing them in an irregularly

shaped polygon boundary. Use as many pick points as you need to define
the boundary and press ENTER.

NOTE: You can mix the selection methods, e.g., start with a crossing
window and continue with a fence or single click selection.

Object Cycling Mode

In a crowded drawing where objects are so close or lie on top of one
another, you can turn on object cycling in response to select objects:
prompt to highlight the desired object. To use object cycling, start an edit
command and position the pick box over the dense area in the drawing
and touching other objects in addition to the desired one. Hold down the
CTRL key, pick that location, then release the CTRL key. AutoCAD
displays Select Object:<Cycle On>. Now each time you click the left-
mouse button (without the CTRL) a different object touched by the pick
box is highlighted. Press Enter or the spacebar or right-click when the
desired object is highlighted to add it to the selection set, and Object
Cycling turns off.
NOTE: The location of the pick box when object cycling mode is
running is immaterial. Also you can zoom during this mode.

 Removing Objects from a Selection Set:

Sometimes it is more efficient to select more objects than you want, then
remove the unwanted ones. This is done in 3 ways:
 69

1. To remove few objects: SHIFT + pick.

2. To remove many objects: Type r  , then use picking or windowing.
If you need to add objects back to the selection set after removing some,
type a  . This puts you back to the selection mode, and you can add
objects to the sets.
3. Click Undo to deselect objects one at a time in reverse order of
selection.

 ERASE
To erase all:
ERASE (on the Modify toolbar)
Type all   .
To erase a group:
1. ERASE.
2. Select a group by one of the selection methods. E.g. type F  .
3. SHIFT + pick the object(s) to be excluded from the group to be
erased, if necessary.
4. Press   .
 70

4.2 EDITING WITH GRIPS

for Unamed Objects
(The Little Blue Boxes)

Summary of Grips Features:

Grips appear if you select an object while the command line is blank.
Pressing Esc key twice will remove them.
Click an object to select, and then click a grip to make it hot grip or “base
grip”. It turns red.
Right-clicking when a grip is highlighted will bring up the commands
associated with it:
Stretch, Move, Rotate, Scale, Mirror & Copy

To cycle through the Grip options, press either the spacebar, or the
ENTER key. The Copy command is not included because every Grip
mode (hot grip) includes a Copy option.
Hot grip options allows you to make copies of the selected objects by
either using the Copy option or holding down the SHIFT key during grip
editing while selecting (picking) points, i.e., while dragging the object’s
grip and clicking for a new location. This leaves the selected objects in
place and does editing on a new copy of the objects.
To move an object, you click mid point grips.
To move a copy of the object, you hold down the SHIFT key while
dragging the middle of the object.
To stretch an object, click end point grips.
To copy an object, use the Copy option with the MOVE command
You can select multiple grips by holding down the SHIFT key and
clicking the desired grips.
All the hot grip options allow you to select a base point other than the
originally selected hot grip. After selecting a grip, type b  and pick a
different point to serve as a base point.
Grips act as visible object snaps that draw the cursor to them; same as
using single point OSNAP.
If two objects meet end to end and you click their overlapping grips, both
grips are selected simultaneously.
The Stretch grip-editing mode is used to stretch and move objects. It can
be used to stretch circles or ellipses, whereas the STRETCH
command cannot.
To remove grips from a single object: SHIFT + Double-click.
 71

You can use multiple grips as the hot grips to maintain the relationship
between the selected grips by selecting the first grip and then holding
down SHIFT as you select the other grips.

☼ To bring up the grips dialog box for making changes to the default
settings: Tools → Options → Selection tab

STEPS FOR USING GRIPS EDITING

• Select object(s) to be modified.

• Click on a grip to activate it and use
it as a basepoint.
• Right-click and choose a command,
or press ENTER and cycle through the commands.
STRETCH is the default.
• Click a point to reposition the
object(s). Use OSNAP or polar coordinates.
• Press Esc twice to end the
command.

Press SHIFT when repositioning the object(s) to new locations for

making multiple copies of the selected object(s). You can also switch into
Multiple Copy mode by typing c  as the command line prompts for
Move points. In this case, if you hold down SHIFT while you pick points
on the screen, the cursor automatically snaps to an offset position based
on the first two pick points. For example, if the first copy is placed 7-
units away, the cursor snaps at 7-units increment.
EXAMPLES:
(a) MOVING a Circle
Click on the circle. Grips will appear.
Click on the grip over the centre to make it hot. The command line now
shows:**STRETCH**
Right-click any where in the drawing area and choose Move from the
menu, or keep pressing ENTER key until you see the Move command:
Specify Move Point or [………..].
The circle is now attached to the cursor and moves with it. At this point
you can do one of 3 things:
Just click a point on the screen to reposition it.
Use polar coordinates to relocate it.
Use OSNAP to snap to another object
 72

For specifying the Copy option, type c  (or Copy from the right-
click menu) and enter a coordinate like @5<225.
5. Press Esc key twice to remove the grips.

(b) STRETCH & MOVE Operation:

0 Click on the circle (or line).
1 Click the grip at the center (or middle grip of the line).
2 With STRETCH active, move the object to the new location, and
click.
3 With the grips still displayed, pick a grip to activate it.
4 Move the cursor to stretch the object, and click.

(c) STRETCHING (to make longer or shorter)

[Stretch mode affects only the object with the hot grip on it. To override
this default, press SHIFT to pick multiple hot grips].

Select the objects. If it is a rectangle use implied windowing.

Click a grip on one of the end points for a line to highlight it. To stretch a
rectangle drawn with 4 lines, hold down the SHIFT and pick 2 endpoint
grips to stretch. Release the SHIFT key and pick one of the hot grips.
The prompt: **STRETCH**<Specify Stretch Point or [………].
At this point you can do one of 3 things to stretch objects:
0 Just click a point on the screen to stretch the rectangle to.
1 Use polar coordinates to stretch it a specific distance, e.g, @9<0 to
stretch the rectangle 9-units horizontally.
2 Use OSNAP to snap to another object. E.g. SHIFT+ Right-click
and choose Perpendicular OSNAP to stretch perpendicularly to a line.
Click the boundary to stretch to.
Esc. , twice.

(d) MIRRORING without Deleting the Original Objects

o Select the objects to be mirrored (you may use implied

crossing window R-to L).
o Select a base grip on one of the selected objects to activate
(at C).
o Right-click & choose MIRROR mode.
o Right-click and choose Copy (if you want to keep the
original, otherwise the original objects are deleted).
Hold down SHIFT and specify the second point of the mirror line.
 73

Alternatively, right-click and choose Base Point and define first point
of mirror. Use OSNAP to determine the mirror line. E.g., use
Midpoint OSNAP to pick the lower, then turn on ORTHO and pick a
vertical point. In this example, make ORTHO on and click above C to
specify the second point of mirror.
5. Press ENTER to complete the command. Press ESC.

(e) ROTATING Objects

o Select the object(s) to be rotated to display the grips. If it is a
block, only one grip will appear. You may need to use Zoom
Window.
o Click a grip to activate it and use it as a grip base.
o Right-click and choose ROTATE from the shortcut menu.
o Drag the object to rotate it and then click to release.
Alternatively, type a rotation angle at the command line, e.g,
180 to rotate the object 180 degrees  .
o ESC.

(f) COPYING
Select object(s).
Click any one of the grips to make it hot.
Right-click in the drawing area and choose Move.( If you want to copy
objects in the normal sense of the word COPY, you must choose the
MOVE grip-editing mode first. Otherwise, you’ll be coping with the
STRETCH mode).
Right-click again and choose COPY.
Move the cursor to a different location and click. New objects now
appear at this location.
To make more copies, move the cursor to additional locations and click
there.
Press Esc twice (once to end the copying operation and once to deselect
all objects and removing all grips).

Method 2:
Instead of step 4: SHIFT + click on the object (to make a copy) → release
SHIFT and read the prompt for Multiples → click locations where you
want copies of the same objects using OSNAP.
EXAMPLE:

1. Click LINE and use Quadrant OSNAP to draw P-Q.

 74

2. Set running Endpoint OSNAP  click PQ to activate the grips click

the grip at P  right-click and select Move  right-click and select
Copy (the Copy option of the Move command) click each spoke line at
the intersection with the arc  press Esc to remove the grips.

(g) SCALE
1. Make a selection window.
2. Click a grip which will act as the fixed basepoint.
3. Right-click and choose SCALE.
4. Type 2  to make the object(s) 2 times larger. (You may need to
press F8 (ORTHO on) and move the cursor in the direction you
want to increase the scale, before typing in the scale).
5. Esc.

(h) USING GRIPS AS VISIBLE OSNAP

o Draw 2 not connected lines A-B and C-D, and then select
them to display their grips.
o Click on one endpoint grip (at A) to make it hot.
o Move the cursor over near one of the grips on the other line
(at C). Notice how the line snapped to the grip at C. Click
there.
Now the hot grip coincides exactly with the grip on the other object.

TIP: if you want to see what a grip editing option does to your object
without actually changing it, hold-down the SHIFT key while dragging
the object’s grip. This action affects a copy of the object rather than the
original, which remains in place, unchanged.
 75

4.3 MODIFY TOOLBAR

Move, Copy, Rotate, Offset, Mirror, Array
(RELOCATING & DUPLICATING OBJECTS)
Fillet, Chamfer, Scale, Stretch, Trim, Extend, Break
& Lengthen (RESIZING OBJECTS)
Divide, Measure & PEdit
Move, Copy and Stretch Modify commands are useful to edit larger
groups of objects as compared to grip editing, and their prompts:
“Base point or displacement”, “Specify second point of displacement
or <use first point as displacement>”.
Base point: You typically choose a point on one of the objects being
moved (or copied or stretched), then pick a second point which is the new
location of the base point. It is an imaginary arrow pointing from the base
point to the second point.
Displacement: The other way to specify how far and in what direction
you want the objects copied, or moved, or stretched is to specify a
displacement. You can enter the displacement as an absolute Cartesian
coordinates or a polar coordinate.
How does AutoCAD know whether your response to the first prompt is a
base point or a displacement? It depends on how you respond to the
second prompt. First you pick a point on screen or enter coordinate of a
point at the “Base point” prompt. If you then type the coordinate of a
point at the second point prompt, AutoCAD moves the objects according
to the imaginary arrow pointing from the base point to the second point
(Base point Method). If you instead press ENTER at the second prompt
(without defining a second point), AutoCAD uses the X,Y pair of
numbers that you typed at the first prompt as an absolute displacement
distance (displacement method). For example, with MOVE command
using the “displacement method”, if you picked a point having coordinate
25,75 and pressed ENTER at the second prompt, the object would move
25mm in the X-axis and 75mm in the Y-axis (so make sure it isn’t outside
the drawing Limits).

■ MAKING MULTIPLE COPIES With M  OPTION:

1. Circle command.
2. Pick the center point.
3. Specify the radius.
4. Copy command, and then select the circle. Press ENTER to end
selection of objects.
 76

5. Type m  , and choose Intersection OSNAP (at the center) as the

base point. Press ENTER.
6. Select OSNAP point (such as Midpoint) to locate copies of the
circle. Press ENTER to end Multiple Copy command.
7. To modify the radius of a circle: click it to display its grips 
click the Properties button  highlight the radius value and change
it  close the Properties window  Esc.

 4.3.1 MOVE
(Using Base point Method)

1. Click the Move button, after pressing Esc to make sure that no
command is active and no objects are selected.
2. Select object(s) and then press Enter.
3. Specify a base point by clicking a point or typing coordinate (to
serve as the tail of your imaginary arrow indicating how far and in
what direction you want the objects moved). After you pick a base
point, a temporary image of the object moves around with the
cursor. You may want to specify a base point on or near the
object(s) that you’re moving. You can use OSNAP mode to choose
a point exactly on one of the objects.
4. Specify the second point of displacement by clicking a point or
typing coordinate. Don’t press ENTER alone at this prompt. You
may want to use OSNAP to pick a second point exactly on another
object in the drawing. You can also type a relative or polar
coordinate (e.g. @200,150 or @300<45) or use direct distance
entry with ORTHO on.

 4.3.2 COPY

0 COPY.
1 Selection Window (L-to- R)  . To de-
select an object: SHIFT + click it  .
2 Type m  (for multiple copies).
3 Select Base point (using precision
technique for insertion).
4 Click locations for the new copies.
5 Press ENTER to end command
 77

To copy a circle, for example, pick the center of the circle as a base point.
The second point then becomes the point on the copies that corresponds
to the first point on the original.
You can make multiple copies of the same set of objects. Type M 
after you finish object selection and choose initial base point, the COPY
command repeatedly prompts you to select a second displacement point
to locate the copies. Press ENTER to finish the multiple copy process.

COPYING BETWEEN 2 DRAWINGS USING COPY-

PASTE
o Open 2 drawings that contain geometry you want to copy
from one to the other. Arrange the 2 drawings so that you
can see both of them (or leave them overlapped and change
between the 2 drawings windows by using the Window
menu or Ctrl + tab).
o From the Window menu, choose Tile Vertically to tile the 2
open windows side by side. In the first drawing, right-click
in the drawing area and choose COPY. [Choose CUT if you
want to move rather than copy the objects to the other
drawing. Choose “Copy with Base Point” if you want to
choose a specific base point rather than let AutoCAD
chooses a base point. The base point that AutoCAD chooses
is the lower-left corner of an imaginary rectangle that just
encloses all the objects you’ve selected].
o If you chose “Copy with Base Point”, pick a base point to
use for the copy operation. The Base point is like a base
point for a block definition. Choose a useful point such as
the end point of a line, the lower-left corner of a rectangle, or
the centre of a circle.
o Select the objects that you want to copy and then press
ENTER to end the object selection.
o Click in the second drawing’s window to make it current,
right-click in it and choose Paste. [Choose “Paste to Original
Coordinates” if both drawings have same coordinate system,
and you want to copy the object the objects so that they land
at the same point w.r.t. 0,0 in the second drawing as they
were located in the first drawing. Or, choose Paste as Block
if “Copy with Base point” was selected].
o Specify an insertion point for the copied objects by object
snapping to a point on an existing object or typing absolute
X,Y coordinates.
 78

 4.3.3 ROTATE
1. Click the ROTATE button.
2. Select object(s)  by define a window (R-to L).
[If you’re rotating the same objects selected in a preceding step for
another modification (like Move prior to Rotate), then at the prompt
“Select objects:”, type P  (for Previous)].
3. Select a base point of the rotation e.g. Endpoint of the object.
4. Specify a rotation angle  (e.g. –30  will rotate the object 30-
degrees clockwise).
Alternatively: (a) you can graphically rotate the objects by moving the
cursor until the coordinate display on the Status bar indicates the desired
angle, and then click, or (b) use ORTHO or Polar tracking, or (c)
selecting the Reference option.
5. ESC.
The Reference option: enables you to correct an object drawn at an
incorrect or unknown angle:
1. ROTATE
2. Select the objects using window selection  .
3. Click a point to specify the base point.
4. Type R  (for Reference).
5. At the prompt for a reference angle: enter the angle if you know it,
or pick 2 points (to define a line AB) and have AutoCAD
graphically measures the unknown angle the line makes w.r.t. the
X-axis.
6. At the prompt for a new angle: enter the desired angle for the
selected objects (e.g. type 0  to place the object horizontally), or
graphically place a point.

 4.3.4 OFFSET
[Creates parallel copies of lines, polylines, circles, arcs, or Splines]

EXAMPLE: To Offset Line A and Line B

Click the OFFSET button.
The prompt is Specify Offset distance or [Through] <Through>
Press  to accept the default, or,
Type the offset distance and press ENTER, or
Indicate a distance by picking 2 points on the screen using OSNAP.
 79

Select an object to offset (line B)  . The selected object ghosts.

At the prompt “Specify point on side to offset”, point to one side or the
other of the object and then click.
The prompt is to select another object, and click on the side you want to
offset (with the same offset distance).
Press  to end OFFSET command.
Press  to restart OFFSET and then reset the distance.
Type t  → click on the object to offset (line A) → click a point for
offset line to go through (endpoint E) → press  .

 4.3.5 MIRROR
1. MIRROR command.
2. Select the object to be mirrored or use selection window.  .
3. Pick 2 points using OSNAP to define the mirror line or axis about
which the mirror image is created. After picking the first point the object
swings with the movement of the cursor. The mirror line does not have to
be a physical line in the drawing.
4. The prompt “Delete source object? Yes/No <N>”. If you want to
delete the original objects, type Y  . By default, the copy of text and
mtext will appear backward. To prevent text from being reversed in the
mirrored objects, set the system variable MIRRTEXT to 0 before you
begin with the MIRROR command.
Alternatively, after selecting the objects to be mirrored, SHIFT + Right-
click then choose e. g. Midpoint to specify first point of mirror line. Type:
@0,-10  to create a vertical mirror line. Press  to keep the original
objects.
NOTE: When a block is mirrored, it is assigned a negative X or Y scale
factor, depending upon the mirror line position. This may prevent the
block from being exploded for editing.

 4.3.6 ARRAY
(AutoCAD 2000 has no dialog box with ARRAY as is the case with
R2002)
(i) Creating a Rectangular Array (AutoCAD2000)
(Like populating an auditorium with seats)

CREATING A RECTANGULAR
ARRAY
THEN USE MIRROR & OFFSET
DISTANCE
BETWEEN
 80

ROWS
DISTANCE
ORIGINAL OBJECT BETWEEN COLUMNS

Specify the distance between adjacent rows and columns.

With Endpoint OSNAP on: type DIST  to measure the distance
between adjacent rows. Click Endpoints A and B. Suppose the distance
displayed in the command area is 3500 mm (this is the Row Offset).
Press  to repeat the command and measure the distance between
adjacent columns. Click endpoints A and C. Suppose the displayed
distance is 3600 mm (this is the Column Offset).
■ Alternatively, at the “Unit cell or distance between rows” prompt,
specify distances with a window (referred to as a unit cell) by picking the
2 corner points of the window. The height of the window is used as the
distance between rows, and the width of the window is used as the
distance between columns. The direction in which the rows and columns
are created is determined by the direction from the first window point to
the second window point.
If you enter a negative distance for the distance between columns, the
columns of the array are created in the negative direction along the X-
axis. Likewise for a negative distance between rows along the Y-axis.
Click ARRAY button.
Type R  for Rectangular array.
Select the object(s) to be arrayed  .
Type in 3 for the number of rows and 4 for the number of columns.
Type in 3500 for the distance between rows and -3600 for the distance
between columns. The Rectangular Array is now drawn.
Click MIRROR then select object(s).
At “Specify first point of Mirror Line”, use OSNAP and click a point near
the object to be mirrored.
At “Specify second point” type, for example, @25<0 to define second
point about which to mirror. The object is now mirrored.
If you need to increase the size of the object, click OFFSET.
At “Specify Offset distance or [Through]”, type a distance  .
At “Select object to offset”, select an edge of the object.
At “Specify point on side to offset”, pick a point on the side to offset
toward.

(ii) Creating a Polar Array (AutoCAD2000)

(Like drawing bicycle spokes)
 81

You specify the centre point about which the copies are made, the
number of items (or copies) to be created (including the original) and the
angle to fill (which is the angle you want to occupy with your copies).
AutoCAD uses the value you enter for the angle fill to determine the
angular separation between adjacent items. For example, if you specify 6
items and enter 180-degrees as the fill angle, the angular separation
between adjacent items is 180 / 6 = 30 degrees. The copies are made in
clockwise direction by default.
If you do not supply the number of items or the angle to fill and just press
ENTER, you will be prompted to specify the angle to be used as the
angular separation between adjacent items in the array.
The final prompt of the polar array gives you the choice of rotating or not
rotating the copies. If you answer Y (the default), the copies are rotated
about the specified centre point of the array. If you answer N, the copies
are rotated about the reference point of the selection set, which is
determined from the last object selected. If a window of some type is
used to select the objects, the last object in the selection set is picked
arbitrary. The reference point that’s selected is based on the type of object
as follows:
OBJECT REFERENCE POINT USED
Block insertion, text, mtext: Insertion point.
 Dimension object: One of the definition points in the dimension object.
 Lines One of the end points.
 Arcs, Circles, Ellipses: The centre point.

(i) Creating a Rectangular Array in AutoCAD 2002

1. Click ARRAY button to display the Array dialog box.

2. Activate the Rectangular Array radio button.
3. Click Select Objects button.
4. Make a window selection for the objects to be arrayed  .
5. Fill in the 5 edit boxes: in the Rows box, type 3. In the Columns
box, type 4. [Note that the Rows and Columns include the row and
column of the original objects themselves, and hence must be
greater than 1]. Type in the Row Offset value (negative Row Offset
value adds rows downward), and Column Offset value (the
horizontal distance between the copies centre-to-centre. Negative
value adds columns to the left). Or, under Offset Distance &
Direction, click on Pick Row Offset button to measure the
distance between rows → click on the endpoints A and B → click
 82

on Pick Column Offset button to measure the distance between

columns → click on A and C). Specify Angular of Array →
6. Click Preview to examine the resulting array.
7. Click O.K. if you’re satisfied with the array or click the Modify
button if you want to change the array parameters.

(ii) Creating a Polar Array (in AutoCAD 2002)

(Drawing a 10-teeth Gear)

Create a tooth using TRIM to trim the the circle and lines.
Click ARRAY button to display the Array dialog box.
Click Polar Array radio button; and then click the Select Objects button
to define a selection window.
Select the line O-P  .
Click the Pick Center Point button (or the arrow button to its right) to
pick the center of the array.
Back in the drawing, use SHIFT + Right-click  choose Center  click
a point as the centre of the array.
In the dialog box, under the Method drop-down list, select the option:
"Angle to Fill & Angle between items" to specify the angle the teeth
will fill and the angle between the teeth. [NOTE: select the other option
“Total number of items and Angle to Fill” in situation like drawing a
bicycle spokes where you specify the total number of items (spokes) and
angle to fill (360 is for full circle, and 90 for a quadrant)] type 36 in the
Angle between items box (360 / 10)  enter 360 in the Angle to Fill
box  activate the “Rotate Items as Copied” box so that the objects
have the same orientation relative to the centre point  click Preview
button  O.K.

 4.3.7 FILLET (for Corners)

0 Click the Fillet button.
1 At the prompt “Select first object or [Polyline /Radius /Trim], type
R .
2 At the prompt to specify the fillet radius, enter r value  . This is
the radius of the arc that joins the 2 lines.
 83

3 Click near the end of 2 lines that form an inside corner (or type P
if the line is a pline and then click on it).
Unlike OFFSET, FILLET ends automatically. To restart it, press  .
NOTES:
0 If r = 0 in step 3, the lines will meet at sharp angle rather than
rounded corner.
1 If the 2 lines are apart but not parallel, Fillet command (as with
CHAMFER) will trim or extend the lines to a corner, and the arc is drawn
as the tangent lengths are equal.
2 After you choose the Radius option and set the radius, the Fillet
command (like Chamfer command) ends. To select the objects, you must
repeat Fillet by pressing the Spacebar or ENTER. To cause AutoCAD to
repeat Fillet (or any command), type M  (for MULTIPLE) at the
command before selecting the 2 lines. Press Esc to cancel the command.
3 If you use Fillet command on 2 parallel lines, a semicircle is drawn
between the end of the 2 lines, using the end point of the first selected
line to determine how far to trim or extend the second selected line.

4 If you want to round all the corners of a polyline simultaneously,

choose the Polyline option and then select the polyline. If an arc segment
separates 2 line segments, the arc segment is automatically removed and
replaced by a new arc based on the current Fillet radius setting.
5 If you use Fillet and click on 2 objects other than a circle or ellipse,
the 2 objects will be trimmed or extended as necessary so that the arc is
drawn neatly. If you do not want the original objects to be trimmed,
choose the Trim option, then choose No Trim. The Trim option in the
Fillet is the same as Trim option in the Chamfer command. Setting Trim
in Fillet affects Chamfer, and vice versa.
Alternatively: type: TRIMMODE  . If you want to change the
default <1> so that you keep the intersection lines along with the fillet
radius, type: 0  .
6 Use FILLET to clean up a single intersection between 2 lines,
otherwise use TRIM.

 4.3.8 CHAMFERING CORNERS

 84

Chamfer command is used to bevel corners formed by 2 non-parallel

lines.
1. Click CHAMFER.
2. Set the parameters defining the bevel. Type d  to specify
chamfer distance Type 50  to cut back 50mm for the first line
 Type 70  to cut back 70mm for the second selected line.
3. Select the 2 line segments that form the corner.
4. Press  to repeat the command.
To obtain the desired bevel:
Either define the distance along the first selected line and the other along
the second selected line, or
With the Angle option, which consists of a distance measured from the
corner point along the first selected line and the angle of the new line
relative to the first selected line.

When you select either the Distances or the Angle option and set the
parameters, the Chamfer command ends. You must repeat the command
and select the 2 line segments to produce the bevel. The quick way to
repeat the last command issued is to press the Spacebar or ENTER at the
command prompt.

 The 2 lines you bevel do not have to intersect at a corner point.

Chamfer automatically trims or extends the 2 selected lines to an
intersecting point before generating the bevel line.
 A quick way to trim or extend 2 lines to a corner point is to use the
Chamfer with the distances set to zero. When you use Chamfer (or Fillet)
to trim or extend 2 lines to a corner, make sure the Trim option is set to
Trim rather than No Trim.
 85

 4.3.9 SCALE
1. Scale button.
2. Select objects using crossing window  .
3. The prompt is “Specify base point”. Click a point to be the stationary
point used to determine how to scale all objects in the selection set.
4. To enter a scaling factor:
Scale by percentage. To reduce the object by 20%, type: 0.8  .
Graphically scale the selection set by pick a distance. The length of the
rubber- banding line is used as the scaling factor.
The Reference option:
• Type R  .
• You’re prompted to specify a reference length. Click 2 end
points of a line (A & B).
• You are then prompted for a new length value. Type required
length, say 20  .
This makes it very easy to scale an unknown distance to a known
distance.

EXAMPLE 1:
SCALE  Select a circle to scale   pick a point outside the circle as
the base point  specify a scale factor of 2.
The circle gets twice as big, and also moves twice as far away from the
base point that you specified.
EXAMPLE 2:
Changing the Measurement Unit of a Drawing
from cm to mm

1. File  Open open the drawing file which was drawn in centimeter.
To regenerate the drawing using millimeters as the drawing units, it must
be scaled down 10 times.
2. Scale  type: All  to select all the drawing objects  press
ENTER to exit selecting objects.
3. Type 0,0  to use the drawing origin as the base point.
4. Type: 10  for the scale factor.
5. View  Zoom  Extents (to fit the drawing on the screen).
6. Format  Linetype  Change Global Scale Factor to 10  O.K.

 4.3.10 STRETCH
 86

(Making lines longer or shorter with ORTHO on)

RULES FOR USING THE STRETCH COMMAND

1. Define points on objects, viz, endpoints of a line, vertices of a polyline,

centre of a circle, etc.,
2. Select the desired objects to stretch using a crossing window, or
crossing polygon, but only one selection window per occurrence of the
Stretch command.
3. If a defining point is within the crossing window that you specify,
AutoCAD moves the defining points and updates the object. For example,
if your crossing window surrounds one endpoint of a line but not the
other endpoint, Stretch moves the first endpoint and redraws the line in
the new position dictated by the first endpoint’s new location.

BEFORE AFTER

EXAMPLE:
Stretching a Door
Click STRETCH.
Use crossing window (R-to L)  . Objects that are
entirely inside the crossing window will be
moved; objects that are partially inside will
be stretched.

3. Click near the door to define a base point for STRETCH.

5. To specify the second point of displacement, Move the cursor to
the right and type 1000  . The door is stretched 1000mm to the
right. Alternatively, SHIFT + Right-click and select Perpendicular
OSNAP and then click a boundary line

4.3.11 TRIM & EXTEND

Making lines, polylines and arcs shorter and larger.

These 2 commands are complementary and their prompts are identical.

• After you start the Extend command, you can also trim
objects to the selected boundary edges by holding down the
 87

SHIFT key and then selecting the objects to be trimmed.

Likewise, if you find that a cutting edge for Trimming can
also serve as a boundary edge, hold down the Shift Key and
click a line to extend it to the cutting edge.
• Pick a single object at a time to trim or extend, near the
cutting edge or boundary.
• Type u  to un-trim or un-extend the last wrong line you
clicked. Pressing Undo after ending the command will undo
all trimming and extending done in the last command.
• If all lines don’t Trim as expected, then ensure that the
variable EDGEMODE  , 0  .
 TRIM:
This command is effective only if an object is left over, otherwise, the
ERASE command should be used.
1. Click TRIM.
The prompt is Select cutting edges.
2. Select objects (AB and AD) and press ENTER. Any edge object,
such as a line or a circle, can be used as a cutting edge or can be the
object to be trimmed. If you press ENTER without selecting any
cutting edges, all edge objects on the screen are automatically
selected as valid cutting edges but are not highlighted. The cutting
edges ghost.
3. Pick the lines to be trimmed away (i.e. removed against the
selected cutting edge(s)).
4. Press ENTER to end the command.
5. SHIFT + click on C (to extend the line to the cutting edge AB).
6. To pick new cutting edges for another Trim operation, press 
 .

 EXTEND:
It is used to elongate an edge object to a boundary defined by another
object. You can also extend objects to the point at which they would
intersect an implied boundary edge (an edge that would be intersected
if the boundary object was extended).
Click EXTEND.
“Select boundary edges”. Select object(s) that will act the wall to which
objects will be extended (the boundary edge for EXTEND). It will ghost.
Press ENTER.
The prompt is “Select object to extend or shift-select to trim or
[Project /Edge /Undo]”.
Press ENTER when you’re finished extending.
 88

The Edge mode option: lets you control whether objects are extended to
an actual boundary or an apparent intersection as follows:
1. Click Extend.
2. Select the objects to serve as boundary edges (line CD)  .
3. The prompt is "[Project /Edge /Undo]”. Type E  (or right-click
and select Edge).
4. The prompt is "[Extend/ No Extend].Type E  (or right-click
and select Extend).
5. Select an object to extend (click line AB near B)  . AB is
extended to CD boundary.
6. ESC.

 4.3.12 BREAK
The command is useful to remove lines overlapping text. It is used for
creating gaps in lines, polylines, circles and arcs, and to split one object
into 2 without actually removing any visible material. Break has
advantage over TRIM to remove a portion of an object since you don’t
need any cutting edges to use BREAK. After you select the object to be
broken, the default option requests a second point on the object. Then the
portion of the object between the point used to select the object and the
second point is removed. Notice that when you first select the object to
break, it is not necessary to press ENTER to go to the next prompt.

The following is the procedure to BREAK an object:

0 Right-click OSNAP  Settings  check in relevant Object Snap
points  make sure Object snap box is checked.
1 Click the Break 2 Points button. Select a single object such as a
line, polyline, or arc. The point you pick when selecting the object serves
to select the object and also becomes the default first break point (i.e. it
defines one side of the gap that you’ll create).
2 “Specify second break point or [First Point]”. The prompt now is
to specify the second break point, or type F  if you made a mistake
and wanted to re-specify the first break point, and then pick the point
using OSNAP or other precision technique.
3 If you type F  and then re-specify the first break point, you’re
now prompted to select the second break point. pick a point or type
coordinate. AutoCAD cuts a section out of the object, using the first and
second break points to define the length of the gap.
EXAMPLE: Draw a Fan Symbol
 89

Check in Quadrant OSNAP.

Click Break 2 button.
Click on the inner circle at B, and then at C.
Press  to repeat the command.
Click D and then A.

NOTE: If you want to cut a line into 2 pieces without removing anything
(perhaps to place one segment on a different layer), click the Break 1
Point button. The point that you pick serves to select the object and define
the point at which AutoCAD breaks it into 2. You can then move, copy,
and manipulate each section independently.
Alternatively, after specifying the first point of the break, type @  .
This will force the second break point to be at the same place as the first
one. As well, you can accomplish the same task by snapping to the same
point using OSNAP.
EXAMPLE:
(TO CLEAR A TEXT FROM AN OVERLAPPING LINE)

1. Clear all running OSNAP. Click BREAK button.

2. Place the pick box on line A-B just above the text and click. The
line ghosts and the cursor changes to crosshair.
3. Put the cursor on the line just below the text and pick. The line is
broken around the text, and the Break command ends.
4. To restart the Break command, press ENTER. If the object you
need to break is a block, click Explode button, select the block, and
then press ENTER.

 4.3.13 LENGTHEN
1. Click LENGTHEN button.
2. Type T  (for Total distance of line(s)).
3. Type 1000  to specify 1000 mm total length.
4. Select the line(s). Press  .
5. Press  to repeat the command.
6. Type P  to lengthen the lines by a specified percentage.
7. type 140  (to have the line increased by 140%).
8. Click near the end of the line.
9. Press  to repeat the command.
10. Type DE  to lengthen the line by a specified increment
(delta).
 90

11. Type 50  and click on the end of the line to have it

incremented by 50 mm.
12. Press  to repeat the command.
13. Type DY to have a line extend dynamically to the
boundary of another object.
14. With Endpoint OSNAP on, click on line B. Move the cursor
to line A to snap to its endpoint, and click. Line B is extended to
the projection of line A.
15. Esc.

 4.3.14 DIVIDE & MEASURE

To select objects to measure or divide, you must pick a point near the end
of the object. You can also insert blocks using these 2 commands.
Point Objects: markers used as nodes or reference points.
Draw Point  select one of 20 shapes (style) from the Point Style
dialog box to use. At the command line, specify the placement of the
Point Object, which allows you to snap to at the end of each line segment
using Node OSNAP.
 DIVIDE: to divide objects into a specified number of equal segments
and placing markers (block or a Point Object) at each division point.
EXAMPLE:
Place 3 circles in a rectangle along a line, dividing it into 4 equal
segments.
o Draw  Point Divide.
o Click near one end of the line to select it.
o Type: 4  to specify number of segments.
o Circle button  click on the first point to specify the circle's
center  type 2.5  for radius.
o Repeat the Circle command to draw the other 2 circles.
o Erase the points and the line.
 MEASURE: places markers (block or a Point Object) at a specified
distance along the length of objects:
Draw  Point  Measure
For example, adding strips (as strip-line block) of 2.6m for a parking lot
along a curved curb.
DEMONSTRATION:
To Measure segments along an object, or to Divide objects into equal
segments using the Block insertion option:
0 Issue the Measure or Divide command.
 91

1 Select a point near the end of the Object.

2 Type B  (or right-click and select Block).
3 Type the name of the block (which already exists in the drawing)
that you want to use as the marker. Press ENTER.
4 Type Y  (to rotate each insertion of the block so that its vertical
alignment is always perpendicular to the object, or choose N  (for the
block to have zero rotation angle).
5 For Measure: Specify the segment length by either typing the
length, or selecting 2 points in the drawing so that the distance between
them defines the segment length.
For Divide: Specify the number of segments  .

4.3.15 PEDIT COMMAND

You can adjust a polyline segments by (1) grip editing any of the vertex
point (2) using the PEdit command, or (3) you can use the Explode
command to convert the Pline to a collection of line and arc segments,
although you lose any width defined for each segment.

(i) Converting Object Components into a Polyline

Type: PE  (or Modify  Object  Polyline).
Select one of the object components  . It is now a polyline.
Type: J  (to join the other components).
Select the remaining components using a selection window.
Press  to exit the Select objects prompt.
Press  to exit Pedit command.

(ii) Changing the Width of a Polyline & Fillet its Edges

Type: PE  .
Click on the edge of the polyline to select it.
Type: W   type: 5  (to change the width).
Press ENTER to exit the command.
To Fillet the edges of the Pline:
1. FILLET.
 92

2. Type: R   type: 15   type: P  (to fillet all the edges

of the pline).
3. Click on the polyline.

(iii) Explode a Pline Object to Modify it & then Join it back

to a Pline
1. EXPLODE
2. Click on the pline  . The object now is of separate
components.
3. Fillet  type: R   type: O   click the lines near A
and B .
4. Type: PE  .
5. Click on the line near A .
6. Type: J  .
7. Select the remaining components to join the already converted
segment to a pline, using selection window  .
8. Press  to exit Pedit command.

(iv) Mirror + Pedit

With ORTHO & Endpoint OSNAP On
0 Mirror
1 Click the pline  .
2 Click on the top end endpoint to specify the first point of mirror
line, then move the cursor downward and click to specify the second
point of mirror line.
3 Press ENTER to keep the source object.
4 Type: PE  .
5 Click on one of the plines to select it  .
6 Type: J  .
7 Select the other pline  .
8 Type C  to close the pline.
9 Press  to exit Pedit command.

4.4 CHANGING OBJECTS’ PROPERTIES

Editing objects involves:

(a) Changing their geometry like moving, stretching, making new copies,
and so on, or
 93

(b) Changing objects’ properties including layer, colour, linetype,

linetype scale, text style, lineweight, and plot style.
Three common ways of editing objects properties in:

1. The Properties Window ON/ OFF Toggle:

EXAMPLE1: (to change a circle's radius)

Click on the circle to select it.
Right-click in the drawing area, and then choose Properties from the
shortcut menu.
In the displayed Properties window, under Geometry, notice the radius
value. Click in the Radius box and type a new value  . Use UNDO to
restore the original properties if you make a mistake.
ESC. Close the Properties window.
Before you select an object, the Properties window displays “No
selection” at the top, and lets you change the current properties as applied
to new objects as you draw them. After you select an object, the
properties for that object are displayed. If you select more than one
object, the properties that they share are displayed.

EXAMPLE2: Using Grips (to change color of the text)

Click on the text to display its grips.
Click on a grip to highlight it.
Right-click and choose Properties.
Click on the Color box to highlight it and displays a down-ward arrow
bottom on its right. Click on this arrow and select a color from the list.
Close the Properties window. Press ESC.

(a) Quick Select button: to select objects based on their properties.

EXAMPLE3:
Selecting Objects by Property:
0 Properties button  Quick Select  select Color (say Cyan) in
the properties list  choose a colour from the Value list  O.K.
Only objects that have the cyan colour individually assigned to them
as a property are highlighted.
1 In the Properties window, select Color  select Magenta to make
the objects magenta  move the cursor into the drawing area  ESC.
(b) Select Objects button: to select objects by picking or specifying
selection windows with the cursor.
EXAMPLE4:
Assigning a Lineweight to an Object
 94

0 Select yellow objects in the drawing.

1 In the Properties window, select Lineweight.
2 In the list of lineweight, select 0.08mm.
3 Move the cursor into the drawing area and press ESC to remove the
grips.
When the drawing is plotted, the selected lines will plot at the
specified lineweight.
NOTE: When you click LWT button on the Status bar, lineweights
are displayed in the drawing. You have to zoom in on a section to get
the lineweights visible. Lineweights are plotted.

EXAMPLE5:
Properties button  Quick Select  Select Objects.
Use crossing window selection  . If you need to highlight objects
spread all over the drawing to modify their properties, then don't use
the "Select Object" button.
"Properties" list: select Color.
"Object type" list: choose, e.g., Circles or Lines (or set to Multiple to
look for Cyan objects of all types). ByLayer selects objects having their
property (color) set to ByLayer.
"Value" list: Cyan.
"Operator" list: select "= Equal".
"How to Apply": choose "Include in new selection set" to select only
objects that matches the specified properties. The second option deselects
the specified properties.
Click O.K. All circles in the selection set which have cyan color are
selected.
Choose a modifying property, e.g., Layer, or click Color box then the
down arrow on its right and select Red (to have the existing cyan color
changes to red), or choose Radius box and type a new radius  for the
selected set.
Close the Properties window  Esc.
Note: If you want to depict, say, lines with length over 500mm, then
enter in the Quick Select dialog box:
"Apply to": Entire Drawing.
"Object type": Line.
"Property": Length.
"Operator": > Greater than.
"Value": 500.

2. Object Properties Toolbar:

 95

Assigning Linetype to Existing Objects:

(i) Select objects.
(ii) In the Linetype Control, select one of the linetypes which
were loaded already in the current file (say HIDDEN).
(iii) Press ESC. The selected objects now have hidden lines.
(iv) Click the Linetype Control and pick ByLayer from the
list, to display the default linetype. From now on, new
objects will be assigned the ByLayer linetype.
The same technique applies to all other properties, e.g., Color.,
Lineweight, etc.

3. Match Properties:

Match Properties is similar to the Format Painter in Microsoft Office

Suite. It lets you change, for example, an existing hatch pattern to match
another existing hatch pattern. The source and destination objects can
reside in the same drawing or in different drawings. If the destination
objects are in a different drawing from the source object and it does not
contain a layer, dimension style or other named object to which the
source object’s properties refer, the Match Properties (Matchprop
command) creates the named objects in the destination drawing
automatically.
Click the Match Properties button in the Standard toolbar.
Click the source hatch you want to copy.
Click the target hatch pattern you want to change.
The target pattern changes to match the source pattern. The Match
Properties button transfers other properties as well, such as layer, color,
and linetype settings. You can select the properties that are transferred by
opening the Property Settings dialog box. To open this box, type: S 
after selecting the object in step 2, or right-click and select Settings. You
can then select the properties you wish to transfer from the options
shown. All the properties are selected by default. Note that text and
dimension style settings can also be transferred.

DEMONSTRATION
1. Open or create a drawing containing an object with the properties you
want to copy.
Skip the next 2 steps if the source and destination objects are in the same
drawing.
2. Open or create a second drawing containing objects to which you want
to copy the properties.
 96

3. Make both drawings visible on your screen.

4. Click the Match Properties button (the one showing a paintbrush).
5. In the first drawing, choose the source object. On the command line,
AutoCAD displays the properties that will get copied and prompts you to
select destination object(s).
6. If you want to change the properties that will get copied, type Settings
and press ENTER. In the displayed Property Settings dialog box, turn on
the properties that you want to copy and turn off the properties that you
don’t want to copy. Click O.K.
Note that Dimension style, Text style, and Hatch parameters can also be
copied (select them as both the source object and the destination object).
7. In the second drawing, choose the destination object(s), i.e. the objects
to which you want to copy the properties, and press ENTER.
 97

5. SETTING UP LAYERS
5.1 Naming a Layer
5.2 Assigning a Colour
5.3 Assigning Linetype
5.4 Assigning Lineweight
5.5 Making a Layer Current
5.6 Controlling Visibility of Layers
5.7 Moving Objects to Different Layers
5.8 Locking Layers
 98

5. SETTING UP LAYERS
AutoCAD drawings have one layer in common- the default 0 layer in all
new drawings. If you don’t add any new layers on a drawing, every thing
you create in that drawing will be on the 0 layer.
All objects in AutoCAD are assigned a layer. Objects get placed on a
layer in 2 ways: either they are moved to the layer, or they are created on
the layer in the first place. Layers enable you to turn on/off groups of
related objects, as well as control of plot properties.
The default layer 0 has unique properties w.r.t. blocks, and hence must be
reserved for creating blocks.
All objects you draw in AutoCAD own properties such as layer, colour,
linetype, and lineweight. You can view and change all of an object’s
properties in the Properties window by toggling the Properties button on
the Standard toolbar.
5.1 Naming a Layer
Defining particular colours to objects is normally determined by layering
standards within the industry.
(i) Click the Layer icon (or Format  Layer).
(ii) In the Layer Properties Manager dialog box, click New.
A new layer is added to the list and given a default name Layer1.
(iii) Type in a layer name, e.g. PIPING. The new named layer remains
highlighted to enter its properties.
(iv) To create more layers, press ENTER (or click New).

NOTES:
(a) You can re-name a layer by highlighting its name and pressing F2.
(b) You can click on Show Details to see /modify the properties of the
selected layer displayed at the bottom of the dialog box.
(c) Make sure you highlight a layer by clicking in its name area, and then
click on the properties you want to modify.
(d) If dimensioning is used, a Defpoints layer is automatically created to
store dimensioning points for the objects. Leave it intact.

5.2 Assigning a Colour

1. Click the square Colour icon in the new layer row.
2. Choose a colour (from the standard colours at the top of the list) for the
new named layer in the displayed Select Colour dialog box  Click
O.K.  Click O.K. (to end layer setting).
 99

NOTES:
 Assigning a colour to a layer means that everything drawn on that layer
will take on that colour. This is Bylayer property value.
 To assign the same colour to several layers at once, Ctrl + Click on the
name of each layer to highlight. Then click on the colour box in the
colour column to open Select Color dialog box.
 To select layers quickly, right-click in the Layer Properties Manager
and choose from the additional options.
 You can override the Bylayer property values by setting explicit
values from the Object Properties toolbar. For example, although the
default layer 0 is white, newly created objects will be drawn in red if the
Color Control in the Object Properties toolbar is set to the colour Red,
because it overrides settings in the Bylayer. This is NOT recommended
for complex drawings.
5.3 Assigning Linetypes to the Layer
When the Linetype Control in the Object Properties toolbar displays
Bylayer, it means that the object’s current linetypes are controlled
globally by the settings of the current layer in the Layer Properties
Manager.
The default Linetype is CONTINOUS which means no gaps in the line.
(i) Click Layers button.
 Click the Linetype name on the same line as the new
layer.
 The Select Linetype dialog box appears. If you already
loaded the linetypes you need for your drawing, the
dialog box displays them in the list. If not, then
 Click the Load button to open the Load or Reload
Linetypes dialog box.
 Select the desired linetypes (Acad-ISO for Metric
drawings), and click O.K. This loads the specified
linetypes into the current drawing.

Acad-ISO family is the first 14 linetypes. Below the ISO and mixed
with the Standard AutoCAD linetypes are 7 linetypes that contain
symbols, like hot-water lines, fences and others.
After you click the Load button to display the Load or Reload
Linetypes dialog box, you can load multiple linetypes in one go by
holding down SHIFT + pick to select all objects between the first
and second picks, or Ctrl + pick to select multiple objects even they
aren’t next to each other (same as in Windows applications).
 100

 Click the desired linetype in the Linetype Manager list

to assign it to the layer, and then click O.K.
The selected linetype now appears in the Layer Properties Manager
dialog box. Highlight it and then click Current button, otherwise,
 Click O.K. to close the dialog box.
 Format Linetype  select Show Details  enter
the scale in the Global Scale Factor box. If you set it
to 2, then all existing and new linetypes will be twice
as large  O.K.

5.4 Assigning Lineweight

On the same line as the new layer, click the Lineweight to display its
dialog box. Select the lineweight you want from the scrolling list, and
then click O.K.
Click O.K. to accept the new layer setting.

Adjusting Lineweight
1. Format Lineweight
2. Choose mm unit  select a lineweight from the list  if the Display
Lineweight box is checked, the object lineweight will be displayed on the
screen. Leave the <0.25 mm> lineweight value as assigned to layers
intact  the slider under Adjust Display Scale controls how heavy the
objects will look on the screen. Adjust to suit your eyes  O.K.
3. On the Object Properties toolbar, the lineweight value is displayed, and
new objects will be assigned this value.

5.5 Making a Layer Current

After you’ve created layers, you can set any one of them to be current. A
layer must be current before you draw on it (lines or text).
METHOD 1:
Click the Layers button highlight the layer’s name in the Layer
Properties Manager box  click the Current button  O.K. (but first
make sure that no objects are selected).
METHOD 2:
 Click on the down-arrow of the Layer Control in the Object Properties
toolbar  click next to the layer’s name to highlight it  click anywhere
in the drawing area to close the pull-down list.
 101

The Layer Control in the Object Properties toolbar shows the name of the
current layer and its colour.

5.6 Controlling Visibility of Layers

You can control visibility of objects on a layer can be turning the layer
off/on or by freezing/thawing to help editing a cluttered drawing. Layers
which are invisible are not printed, hence allowing you to print selected
layers of a drawing:
In the Layer Control on the Object Properties toolbar, click on the light
bulb icon corresponding to the particular layer. The yellow light bulb
turns gray.
Or click the sun icon for freezing.

 Turn the Layer Off or Freeze It?

When a layer is turned off, even though the objects on the layer become
invisible, AutoCAD still performs certain zoom and regeneration
calculations on the invisible objects, in contrast to a frozen layer. If you
only need to edit objects that reside on one layer, then you can increase
your productivity by freezing the layers on which all other unneeded
objects reside. The catch is when you thaw a layer that had been frozen, it
causes AutoCAD to perform a regen. By that time you must sit idle by
waiting AutoCAD to complete its regeneration calculations. In contrast,
turning layers off/on does not cause a regen.
The conclusion is:
 Use Freeze when there are objects you don’t need to view, on a
drawing requiring frequent zoom and pan.
 Use Layers Off when you typically need to view the objects in your
drawing during an editing session, and only want to temporarily make
them invisible.
WARNING: Do NOT turn current layer off.

5.7 Moving Objects to Different Layers

If you draw objects on the wrong layer, AutoCAD allows you to place
them on the correct layer without redrawing them.

METHOD 1: (Using the Object Properties Toolbar)

Select the objects (use selection window L-to-R).
Click the Layer Control drop-down list to open it.
Click the layer on which the selected objects shall reside.
 102

The list closes, and the chosen layer name is displayed in the Layer
Control. The selected objects have now been moved to the new layer and
took on the layer’s colour.
Press Esc to remove the grips from the object.
[To check: change this layer's color  click O.K. in the Layers Manager
dialog box. Objects which have moved to this layer should have changed
color. If not, select the object  from the Color Control list, click
ByLayer  Esc].

METHOD 2: (Using Properties button)

(i) Click the Properties button)
(ii) Select the object(s) you want to move to a new layer to show its
grips.
(iii) Click on the Categorized tab. The layer will be listed near the top.
(iv) Click on Layers  click on the down-arrow beside it  select a
destination layer.
The selected object will move to the chosen layer.

NOTES:
 Make sure that no objects are selected before you use the Layer drop-
down list to change the current layer (press Esc twice to be sure). If
objects are selected, the Layer drop-down list appears and lets you change
those objects’ layer. If NO objects are selected, the Layer drop-down list
lets you change the current layer.
 To sort the linetypes in ascending/descending order, click the column
header Linetype in the Linetype Manager or Select Linetype dialog box.
 Apply the proper linetype scale factor.

5.8 Locking Layers

(to prevent accidentally altering objects)

The ability to lock layers enables you to display the objects on a layer
without selecting any objects on that layer. However, although objects on
a locked layer are not selected for edit command, they can be snapped to
using OSNAP. Therefore, it is used for seeing objects on a layer for
reference and object snapping purposes.
103
 104

6. TEXT
6.1 CREATING TEXT
6.1.1 Steps for Adding Text
6.1.2 Creating a New Text Style
6.1.3 Typing Special Characters
6.1.4 The Spell Checker
6.1.5 Text Height
6.2 TEXT EDITING
6.2.1 Introduction
6.2.2 The Properties Window
6.2.3 Enabling the Quick Text Display
 105

6.1 CREATING TEXT

Text is an entity that can be scaled, moved, mirrored, etc. A text style
consists of a name for the style, a font, and various settings for the size
and orientation of the text.
Single Line text enables you to enter multiple lines of text, but the text
will not wrap at a predefined margin, as is the case with Multiline text
command. Single-line text is useful for titles of drawings, title of views
within a drawing, room labels, and short motes. Dimensions and longer
notes are done with Multiline text, which AutoCAD treats the whole text
as one object.

6.1.1 Steps for Adding Text to a Drawing:

1. Create a new text style or use a template or copy an existing text

styles from another drawing using AutoCAD DesignCentre.
2. Make text layer current.
3. Run the TEXT or mText command (Draw menuTextS /M).
4. Click 2 points to specify location of text.
5. Specify the text alignment points, justification and height (in the
Text Editor Dialog box).
6. Type the text and press ENTER. Press  to end the command.
 Using Single Line Text
1. Set an appropriate layer current (using Layers Control and then
selecting the layer), Text style current, and turn off OSNAP button.
2. Draw Text  Single Line Text.
3. Select a start point for the text: click a point on the screen, or enter the
point’s coordinates, or press Enter to locate new text immediately below a
previous line text.
4. Enter a height. It can be picked with the cursor. The default height is
the one last entered. "Specify height" prompt doesn’t appear if you're
using a text style with fixed (non-zero) height.
5. A rotation angle of 0.0 means that the text is horizontal  .You can
rotate the lines on screen by using the mouse.
6. At the prompt: Enter text: type in the first line of text and press Enter
to move to the next line, or Enter again to end the command. (This is one
of few cases where pressing the Spacebar will put in a space and won’t be
construed as Enter).
 106

The options available allow you to justify the text (left, right or centre) or
apply a style.
NOTES:
• You can enter the desired text justification option at the prompt for
the Start point.
• You can snap to the justification point of an existing line using the
INSERT OSNAP option.
• You can use TEXT command for multiple lines of text by keep
issuing the command and pressing Enter after you type each line of
text. However, each line is created as a separate object and no
word-wrapping is possible.

 Using Multiline (Paragraph) Text

This option is for placing several lines in a drawing.
0 Same as first step above.
1 Draw  Text  Multiline Text. (Alternatively, click A on
the Toolbar, or type: t  ).
2 Pick a first point and drag open a window then click the opposite
corner to position the text in a rectangle, whose width is the word-
wrapping width (to fill the imaginary box).
NOTES:
0 The prompt after picking the first corner is “Specify opposite
corner or [Height/Justify/Line Spacing /Rotation/Style/Width]. If you
wish to change, for example, the default height shown in the prompt after
issuing mText command, type: H  , and then type an appropriate
height.
1 Word-wrapping width of a paragraph text can be changed by grip
editing: Select the text object, click one of the corner grips, release the
mouse button, move the cursor, and click again.

3 The Multiline Text Editor opens with a flashing cursor in the

blank window to type your text. You can set the font, font size, text
colour, special characters and symbols, import text, etc. Click ? box and
then point to the part of the dialog box that you want to know about.
4 Type the first line and press  . Press O.K. when finished.

The Properties tab allows you to justify text position within the
rectangle. Highlight the text (by dragging), then select the justification
option. The width option allows you to change the width of the text
rectangle.
 107

 The Line Spacing tab: Exactly option makes the line spacing the
same for all text lines.
 When the Import Text button is selected, the “Select File” dialog box
is displayed to allow you to look through folders for the text file. It allows
you to import a text document, 16K in size, written outside AutoCAD.
Select a file  click Open  select text and format it, e.g. line spacing,
etc. Rich Text Format (rtf), which is available under Save As, is
recommended.

6.1.2 Creating a New Text Style or Making an

Existing One Current
A text style is a named group of settings that controls the appearance of
text in a drawing. You can define several text styles and assign such
properties as font types and text height in a drawing. The default text
style in template ACAD.DWT and ACADISO.DWT is named
STANDARD (which uses txt.shx font).
1. Format Text Style.
2. In the Style Name drop-down list of the Text Style dialog box, select
each in the list to see what text styles have been created in this drawing,
as displayed in the Preview panel.
3. If you find a suitable text style, select it and click Close.
The selected text style name becomes the current style.
 To create your own:
4. With STANDARD as the current style, click the New.. button.
5. Type a name for your new text style to be added to the Style Name of
the New Text Style dialog box, say Labels, and click O.K.
Now, back in the Text Style dialog box, Labels is added to the Style
Name list and is current for new settings. Initially, Labels is a duplicate
of STANDARD.
6. Choose a font from the list to assign it to the named text style (viz,
Labels).
ROMANS.SHX is the best for drafting work, Romans.shx for notes,
Romand.shx for titles in the drawing, and Romanc for larger text.
TTF (True Type Fonts) give fancier font options but slow down
AutoCAD. These fonts may be used for title block logo.
You can choose BOLD.
7. Set the remaining text style settings as:
Height = 0.0 (variable height). In this case, you will be prompted for
the text height when you place text in the drawing. This gives you the
flexibility to specify the height separately for each line text object.
 108

Assigning a fixed height, i.e., non-zero, forces a fixed consistent height

throughout the drawing.
Width Factor = 1.0. A number greater than 1.0 gives wider letters; and
less than 1.0 results in thinner letters. Check the sample text
displayed in the Preview image.
Oblique angle = 0.0. This is the angle by which you slant letters away
from the vertical.
8. Click Apply  Click Close. Labels is now the current text style.

 To Rename an Existing Style: select the style from the list of existing
styles, click the Rename button and enter a new name.
 To Delete an Existing Style: highlight the name from the list, and click
Delete button.
 To have multiple styles to be available in a drawing immediately,
define them in your template drawing.
 To import a style from another drawing, use AutoCAD’s
DesignCentre.
NOTE: To experiment with a variety of text styles, you can use:
C:\Program Files\Autocad2002\Sample\City map.dwg

6.1.3 Typing Special Characters

EXAMPLE1: Using Standard AutoCAD Text

CODE SPECIAL
CHARACTER
%%u underlining
%%c φ
%%p ±
%%d º (degrees)

To type: SPECIFICATIONS:
Hole Tolerance = ± 5 mm

1. Draw  Text  Single Line Text.

2. Click a point to specify start point of text.
3. Press  to accept default height and 0 rotation.
4. Type: %%uSPECIFICATION:%%u  (the %%u code before the
text turns on underlining, while the %%u after the text turns off the
underlining.
 109

5. Type: Hole Tolerance = %%p5 mm  .

6. Press ENTER to end the command.

EXAMPLE2: To Insert Symbols ( ) from the Character

Map
0 Right-click inside the Text Editor and choose Symbol  Other...
1 In the displayed Character Map: click on the symbol you want to
add to the text  select a font  click on Select button  click on
Copy (to copy it onto the clipboard)  close the Character Map.
2 Position the typing cursor inside the Text Editor and click Paste
(CTRL+ V)  O.K.

6.1.3 The Spell Checker

1. Press Esc to clear the command line.
2. Tools  Spelling. (Alternatively:  ABC).
3. Select the objects. Type: All  to check the spelling of all the text in
the drawing. When you’re finished selecting objects, press Enter to
initiate the spelling check. The Check Spelling dialog box appears with
the first misspelled or unrecognized word.
Use the dialog box buttons to tell AutoCAD how to handle a misspelling:
• Suggestions: Click another suggestion in the list to use, or
accept it, or type the correct spelling yourself.
• Ignore/Ignore All: ignores the current word and continue
checking, or ignores the current word and all similar words.
• Change/Change All: Changes the current word to the
highlighted word, or current word and all other instances of it as
well.
• Add: Adds the misspelled word to the custom dictionary.
• Lookup: Checks the spelling of the new word entered in the
text-entry area under Suggestions.

6.1.4 Text Height

Text is often the only object on a drawing that doesn’t represent
something in real world size. When selecting text height for a drawing,
the scale of the drawing at which it will eventually be plotted must be
considered. If the scale of the drawing hasn’t been decided, input the text
assuming the plot is 1:100, and change it later as is the case.
 110

In order to modify the height of texts that already exist in a drawing with
a scale factor 1:100, you need to know the height of the existing ones:
(i) Tools Inquiry List.
(ii) Click on the text to select it  . Suppose the displayed database
information on the selected text reads text height = 300 units.
(iii) Format  Units  read that the drawing unit is set to
Millimeters  O.K.
(iv) Modify height texts as necessary (use the Quick Select dialog
box if the drawing contains texts with different heights).

Inputting Text Height:

Input Text Height (mm) = Drawing Scale Factor * Text Height you
wanted on the Plotted Drawing * Conversion factor to mm (i.e. if the
considered AutoCAD drawing unit is meters, then the conversion factor
to mm is 0.001).

For example: to get a text height of 5mm on the printed drawing having
1:100 scale, the text height input must be 500mm.

Drawing Drawing Required AutoCAD Text

Scale Scale Factor Plotted Text Height
(plot scale) Height (INPUT )
Drg Unit = mm
1:100 100 5mm 500
1:50 50 3mm 150
1:20 20 3mm 60

This applies when you’re adding text in Model space, which is the usual
practice. But when you create text in Paperspace such as title block, you
specify the actual, plotted height.

6.2 EDITING TEXT in the Drawing

6.2.1 General
 Modify  Object  Text Edit (or double-click the text)
If the text you selected was created by the Single Line Text command, a
simple Edit text box appears. If the text you selected was created by the
Paragraph Text command, the Multiline Text Editor will show up and
loaded with the selected text. Make corrections and click O.K.
 111

 To edit a line after you’ve created it: Right-click and choose Text
Edit. The displayed dialog box enables you to edit the text.

 To edit text properties (e.g. text height): Select the text  Right-
click, and choose Properties, which makes you change parameters.

 To modify the paragraph on the drawing:

(i) Double-click any where on the new text to display the Multiline Text
Editor dialog box.
Highlight the text for editing. Ensure the Character tab is active. Change
the Text Height to make it smaller or larger, and click O.K.
(ii) Double-click the paragraph to display the Multiline Editor. Highlight
all the text again. Select another Font from the list, and click O.K. the
SansSerif font is a TT font which can be italic and boldface, and could be
used for notes.
(iii) To change individual words within the text to boldface:
Double-click the paragraph. In the M.Text Editor with the Character tab
active, highlight the words, click Bold (B), and click O.K.

 To alter the length of the line:

0 Select the text. Four grips appear at the corners of the body of the
paragraph.
1 Ensure POLAR is active; and OSNAP & OTRACK are off. Then
click the upper right grip to activate it.
2 Slowly move the cursor left or right, stopping periodically to
eyeball, click, and then Esc.
3
Copying an existing text (using grips) and modifying it, is faster than
creating a new text.
 The Edit Text command gives you a quick way to modify the wording
of short lines of text.
 The Properties dialog box is useful for changing text properties.

6.2.2 The Properties Window

(i) Changing the Properties of Text
Select the text in the drawing
Properties button.
In the Properties window, under Text, select Style  select COMPLEX
from the styles provided. The text is updated to the selected style 
select Height  enter text height required  close window  Esc.
 112

(ii) Copying Text Font

Suppose a drawing has text, say DETAIL. You can use this text font to
draw another text, say TITLE, and place it in a circle.
Center OSNAP is ON.
1. Click DETAIL text to show the grip.
2. Click on the grip and press ENTER to cycle to MOVE.
3. SHIFT + click the circle. The DETAIL text is now placed on the
circle with the lower-left corner of the text at the center of the circle.
[Alternatively: click on the text to show the grip  right-click in the
drawing area and choose MOVE  right-click and choose COPY (to
keep the original)  click the circle to snap to it and place the text].
4. Press Esc to clear the grip.
To change the text DETAIL to TITLE:
5. Click the DETAIL text in the circle.
6. Click the Properties button:
• Click the TEXT category. If the setting is on a drop-down list, an
arrow will be highlighted in the right column.
• Highlight the DETAIL text in the “Text Contents” row and change
it to TITLE.
• If you want to place the new text on another layer, do so and then
close the dialog box. Press Esc.
EXERCISE1:
Placing Centered Titles of Views in the Drawing
(Single Line Text)
The titles need to be centered under each view. Establish a vertical guide
through the middle of the drawing to position the text.
(1) Set the Labels text style current; turn on OSNAP & POLAR, and
make Endpoint and Midpoint OSNAPS running.
Drop a line from the mid point of the ridgeline down.
(2) Offset the bottom line of the front step down 4’.
(3) Choose Draw Text  Single Line Text. [Or type: dt  ]
(4) The bottom of the command line is the actual prompt, with 3 options.
(The line above it displays the name of the current text style and height).
By default, the Justification point is set to lower-left corner of the text.
You want to change to the middle of the text to be able to center it on the
guideline.
(5) Type j  . All possible justification points appear in the prompt. The
justification point for text is like the insertion point for blocks.
(6) Type c  to choose Centre.
 113

(7) SHIFT + Right-click. OSNAP options menu appears on the screen

next to where the cursor had been positioned.
(8) Select Intersection on the menu, and pick the intersection of the
guideline and the offset line.
(9) For the rotation, press  to accept the default angle 0. An “I” cursor
will be positioned at the intersection.
(10) Type: FLOOR PLAN  .
(11) Press  again to end the command.
(12) Erase the offset lines and the vertical guideline.
EXERCISE2:
Placing Labels & Notes in the Drawing
Text styles for labels and notes must be current before start placing text.
In this exercise, this will be accomplished from within the Single Line
Text command by using Style option, and using default left justification.

(1) Click the POLAR and OSNAP buttons off. Zoom and Pan as
necessary.
(2) Type: dt  ( or Draw  Text  Single Line Text).
(3) At the prompt, type s  to choose the Style option.
(4) The prompt reads: Enter style name or [?] < Title>:. Type: ?   to
see a list of defined text styles along with parameters of each style.
(5) Type: s  again, then type the chosen style name  . Press F2 to
close the text screen and return to the drawing.
(6) Pick a point.
(7) Press  at the Rotation prompt to accept default angle.
(8) The cursor appears at the picked point. Enter text. To end a line or
word and move to a second line, Press  . To end typing, press   .

HINTS:
In many cases, it is more efficient to type in a list of words or phrases
first, e.g., KITCHEN  BATH  OFFICE   , and then move the
text to its appropriate locations as follows:
Click any where on the text OFFICE. One grip appears at the justification
point of the text.
Click the grip to activate it; OFFICE is attached to the cursor. The Stretch
command automatically starts. Since text can’t be stretched, the Stretch
command functions like the Move command.
Be sure ORTHO, POLAR, OSNAP & OTRACK are turned off. Move the
cursor to an appropriate location and click to place the word.
 114

Press Esc to remove the grip  Select another word  click its grip 
pick a point to position the word to where it belongs  Press Esc to
remove the grip.

EXERCISE3:
Placing a Number or Letter in a Circle
(Say for grid lines)
(1) Draw  Circle  2 Points. With Endpoint OSNAP turned On,
pick an end point of the vertical grid line. Type @ 50<90  . A circle
50mm diameter is drawn.
(2) Format  Text Style  Click the Style Name chosen to make it
current  Click Apply and Close.
(3) Draw  Text  Single Line Text (or type: dt  )
(4) Type j  for justification option.
(5) Choose Centre OSNAP option (SHIFT + Right-click).
(6) Click on the circle.
(7) Press  for accepting 0 Rotation.
(8) Type in the number or letter to be centered in the circle.
(9)   to finish the text and then to end the Single Line Text
command.
Note that the text won’t appear centered until you end the command by
pressing Enter the second time.

If you need to modify the entered text:

Modify  Text  click on the line of text  make necessary changes
to the text, which appears highlighted in the displayed Edit Text dialog
box  click O.K.  click Enter to end the command.

To do such a grid, the A-grid line is done as above. Then copy the A-
circle to the vertical and horizontal lines and finally modify the text:
1) Be sure the Endpoint OSNAP is running. Select the letter A, then
click the circle. Grips appear.
2) Click the grip at the bottom of the A-circle to activate it.
 115

3) Right-click and select Move, then right-click again and select

Copy (to make a copy and leave the original in place).
4) Pick the top end of each vertical line, and  . You have now
copies of the A-circle on the 2 other vertical lines.
5) Move back to the original grid circle and select the grid on the right
side of the circle to activate it.
6) Repeat steps 3 & 4 and pick the left end of the horizontal lines,
then press Esc.
7) Now to change the text: Type ed  . Select the letter A in the 2nd
grid line, type B  in the Text Editor (the A changes to B), and
so on for the remaining grid circle letters. Press  to end the Edit
Text command.

6.2.3 Enabling the Quick Text Display

When AutoCAD opens or regenerates a drawing, if the drawing
contains numerous text objects, it may take quite some time to
complete the regen process, especially if the text is drawn with
complex fonts. If you don’t need to actually see the existing text,
enable the Quick Text mode.
Tools  Options  Display tab  select the Show Text Boundary
Frame Only check box.
When Quick text is enabled, text and mtext objects are displayed as
simple rectangles that contain no characters. If you enable Quick Text
mode after opening a drawing, issue the REGEN command to
redisplay the text as empty rectangles.
 116

7. DIMENSIONING
7.1 DIMENSIONING
7.1.1 Drawing Linear Dimension
7.1.2 Angular Dimension
7.1.3 Dimensioning Arcs & Circles
7.1.4 Quick Dimension Icon
7.1.5 Setting up Leaders
7.2 DIMENSIONING IN LAYOUT
7.3 DIMENSION EDITING
7.3.1 Editing Dimension Geometry
7.3.2 Editing Dimension Text
7.3.3 The Dimension EDIT Button
 117

7.1 DIMENSIONING
When choosing a dimension command, the prompt is to: (a) select an
object and have it dimensioned automatically, or (b) select endpoints on
that object using OSNAP. In both cases, the endpoints for dimensioning
are called extension line origins.
If you find that you’ve selected the wrong location for a dimension, click
Undo and press Enter.
The distance separating the dimensions is controlled by the system
variable DIMDLI.
PICKFIRST & GRIPS variables must be enabled and set to a value of 1,
which is the default.

The Floating Dimension Toolbar:

■ Right-click any toolbar → choose Dimension from the shortcut menu.
Dock the toolbar to the right side of the screen, but in doing so, note that
you will lose the Style drop-down list.

7.1.1 DRAWING LINEAR DIMENSION

This involves:
(i) Placing horizontal & vertical dimensions.
(ii) Lines which are non-orthogonal can be dimensioned using Aligned
Dimension command (which can also be used for vertical lines).
(iii) The Continue Dimension command.
(iv) The Baseline Dimension command.

(i) & (ii) Guidelines for Drawing Horizontal, Vertical and

Aligned Dimensions
1. Set a layer that is appropriate for dimensions current.
2. Set a dimension style that is appropriate current.
3. Click the Linear Dimension button on the Dimension toolbar (or,
Dimension → Linear).
4. To specify the origin of the first extension line in response to the
prompt, snap to the lower-left endpoint of the line by using OSNAP
Endpoint and click. [If you don’t have endpoint as one of your current
running OSNAPs, then SHIFT+ Right click and choose Endpoint].
5. To specify the origin of the second extension line, snap to the other
endpoint of the line by using Endpoint OSNAP again.
NOTE: If an arc is joined to line, use Quadrant OSNAP to get endpoint
of the curve.
 118

At the prompt: Specify dimension line location or[….]: move the mouse
to generate the type of dimension you want, horizontal or vertical, and
then click wherever you want to place the dimension line. You may enter
a coordinate, e.g. @30<0 and Enter, to have the dimension line 30mm to
the right of the last point you selected.

To Measure the Line's Length

1. Click the Aligned Dimension or Linear Dimension button.
2. Press  to accept the default < Select Object > .
3. Click on the object that you want to dimension.
AutoCAD automatically finds the end points of the line and uses them as
the extension line origin points.
4. Move cursor above or below the object and pick a point to place the
dimension line.

(iii) CONTINUE Dimension Command

It allows you to run a series of linear dimensions which are always

positioned at the same level.
EXAMPLE:
Place the 32mm on the first line segment using the Linear option. Select
the Continue option from the Draw toolbar.
For the prompt: Second extension line origin, pick the end of the second
line segment. The dimension line is aligned correctly with the first
dimension. Press Enter twice to end the command.

Using Continue on an existing dimension:

Pick the dimension you want to continue from at the prompt: Select base
dimension.
Pick the end of the line segment when you see the prompt: Second
extension line origin.
(iv) Baseline Dimensioning
(Several dimensions originate from the same first extension line
origin)
1. Click Linear Dimension.
2. Use Endpoint OSNAP to pick point A.
3. Pick corner B for the second extension line origin.
4. At the prompt: Specify dimension line location or […], pick a point
above the dimension line to place the 100 dimension value. (You may
need to zoom and pan).
 119

Now, to draw another dimension line continuing from the first extension
line origin (at A):
5. Click the Baseline Dimension icon, and to the prompt: Specify a
second extension line origin, use Endpoint OSNAP and pick point C.
6. Press   to exit the command.

To draw the baseline dimension from an existing datum line:

1. Click Baseline button.
2. Press Enter at the: Specify a second extension line origin prompt.
3. At the prompt: Select base dimension, select the first extension line of
the first dimension, then pick the second extension line.
4. Press Esc.

7.1.2 ANGULAR DIMENSIONING

Acute and obtuse angles can be measured using the Angular Dimension
option.
1. Click the Angular icon.
2. In response to the prompt: Select arc, circle, or line<Specify
Vertex>, click on the first line and second line of the angle. As you move
the cursor, you’re offered various dimensioning formats. Click when you
like the preferred format.

Select Arc option: allows you to dimension the included angle of an

arc. Select the arc, and then click to position the dimension.

7.1.3 DIMENSIONING ARCS & CIRCLES

Click on the Radius or Diameter icon and select the arc or circle. As you
move the cursor, the values move with it. Click a point to position the
radius or diameter. To lock the dimension into vertical and horizontal
positions, switch ORTHO mode on before you dimension.

7.1.4 QUICK DIMENSION ICON

(Using the Continued, Ordinate, or Baseline options)
1. Dimension  Quick Dimension (on Dimension toolbar)
2. At the prompt: Select geometry to dimension, pick object(s) using a
selection window →Press .
3. At the prompt: Specify dimension line position, or [Continuous/
Staggered/ Baseline/Ordinate/Radius/Diameter/Datum Point/Edit],
 120

<Continuous>: press  ; or select an option by typing its uppercase

letter and then press ENTER.
4. Pick a point to specify the dimension line location.

7.1.5 SETTING UP LEADERS

1. Set a layer for dimensions current.
2. Set a dimension style current.
3. Click the Quick Leader button on the Dimension toolbar.
The command line prompts you to select the first leader point (which is
the arrow point) and gives you the option of changing leader settings first.
If you want to draw curved instead of straight leader lines or choose a
different leader arrowhead style, type S  to open the Leader Settings
dialog box.
4. Pick a point that you want to point to by using Nearest or Midpoint
OSNAP. AutoCAD 2002 associates the leader with the object.
The command line prompts you for the next point. AutoCAD draws a
shaft from the arrowhead to this point: Specify next point:
5. Pick a second point but NOT too close to the arrowhead point.
AutoCAD repeats the next prompt, so that you can draw a multi-segment
shaft if you want to.
6. Pick one more point if you want to, or press Enter if you want a leader
with a single shaft.
7. The command line prompts you to specify the width for word
wrapping the text that you’ll attach to the leader: Specify text width
<0.0>. Press ENTER to accept the default which turns off (suppresses)
word wrapping and displays your text on a single line (which works fine
for short notes that fit on one line). Otherwise, type a width  , or move
the cursor to the right or left in order to specify a width for word
wrapping, and then click.
8. The prompt: Enter first line of annotation text <Mtext> is to type a
short note directly at the command line, or to press Enter and type your
text in the Multiline Text Editor dialog box.
9. Click O.K. Now your text appear next to the leader.
EXERCISE:
(DIMENSIONING A BOLT HEAD)
(a) Setting Up
1. Start from Scratch  Metric Units
2. Create a new file called BOLT.
 121

3. You can use the Dimension Style Manager to set the dimension scale,
or type Dimscale  and then enter drawing scale factor  . (b) Start
drawing the bolt head
1. Click Polygon on the Draw toolbar.
2. Type 6  (for the number of sides).
3. At the “Specify centre of polygon or [Edge]” prompt, pick the center
of the polygon using SNAP mode to help you locate points.
4. At the prompt “Enter an option [Inscribe in circle/ Circumscribe about
circle]< I >:”, type c  . This option places the polygon outside the
temporary circle used to define the polygon.
5. At the “Specify radius of circle” prompt, you will see the hexagon drag
along with the cursor. You can pick a point with your mouse to determine
its size, or type a radius  .

(c) Aligned Dimensioning

1. Click the Aligned Dimension button
on the Dimension toolbar (or Dimension  Aligned).
2. At the prompt “Specify first extension line origin or <Select Object>,
press ENTER. (You could also have picked the first point of the distance
to be dimensioned for extension line origins).
3. At the prompt “Select object to dimension”, pick the upper-right face
of the hexagon. As the prompt indicates, you can also pick an arc or circle
for this type of dimension.
4. At the prompt “Specify dimension line location or [Mtext /Text /
Angle]”, pick a point.. As is the case linear dimensions, you can type T 
to enter alternate text for the dimension.
(d) Dimensioning a Face of the Hexagon
Instead of its actual length, you will dimension a distance at a specified
angle: the distance from the centre of the face.

1. Click the Linear Dimension button on

Dim toolbar (or from pull-down menu).
2. At the “Specify first extension line origin or<Select Object>” press 
.
3. At “Select object to dimension”, pick the lower-right face of the
hexagon.
4. At “Specify dimension line location or [Mtext /Text /Angle /
Horizontal/ Vertical/ Rotated]” type R  .
5. At “Dimension line angle <0>” enter 30  .
 122

6. At “Dimension line location” pick a point.

(e) Dimensioning Radii & Arcs
1. Click Angular Dimension button.
2. At “Select arc/ circle /line <Specify vertex>”, pick the upper-left face
of the hexagon.
3. At “Select second line”, pick the first 3 faces.
4. At “Specify dimension arc line location or [Mtext/ Text Angle], notice
that as you move the cursor around the upper-left corner of the hexagon,
the dimension changes. Pick a point.

(f) Making Some Adjustments

1. Click the Diameter Dimension button.
2. At “Select arc or circle”, pick the circle.
3. At “Specify line location, or [….]”, you will see the diameter
dimension dragging along the circle as you move the cursor. If you move
the circle outside the circle, the dimension will display on the outside.
If the dimension text can’t fit within the circle, AutoCAD gives you the
option to place it outside the circle as you drag the temporary dimension
to a horizontal position.
4. Place the cursor inside the circle so that the dimension arrow points in
a horizontal position. Click when the text centered.
NOTE: To have 2 arrows appear across the diameter of the circle, turn on
both Dimtix and Dimtofl.

(g) Adding a Note with an Arrow Pointing to the Object

1. Click Quick Leader on the Dimension toolbar.
2. At “Specify first leader point or <Settings>” pick a point near the top-
left edge of the hexagon.
3. At “Specify next point”, type a similar format to: @150<100  .
4. At “Specify next point”, you can continue to pick points. Press
ENTER to finish drawing leaders lines.
5. At “Enter first line of Annotation text <Mtext>”, type BOLTHEAD 
as the label for this leader.

(h) Exploring the Leader Options

In the step 2 above, you can enter S  to open the
 123

Leader Settings dialog box. From here, you can have the Leader button
performs any number of functions. MText option is the default, which
places a multiline text object at the end of the leader.
0 Copy an Object: prompts you to select text, or blocks to be copied
to the end of the leader.
1 Block Reference: lets you insert a block at the end of the leader.
2 None: ends the leader without adding a note.
3 Prompt for Width: to select a width for multiline text.
4 Frame Text: draws a frame around the text.
NOTE: use the Properties window to modify some of the properties of a
leader.

7.2 DIMENSIONING IN LAYOUT

Dimensions that are created on a Layout do not need to be scaled for each
Viewport, nor do the dimensions need to be assigned to a Viewport-
specific layer.

7.2.1 Creating Linear Dimension in Layout

OSNAP: ON
Endpoint: ON
1. Choose Layout1 tab.
2. Right-click any toolbar and choose Dimension to display the
Dimensions toolbar.
3. On the Dimension toolbar, choose Linear   select the end point
of a line  click the second endpoint of the same line  click to the
left of the line to place the dimension.
Aligned Dimension:
On the Dimension toolbar Aligned Dim  , select the angled line 
click to the left of the line to position the dimension.

7.2.2 Making Final Adjustments to the Viewports

1. Select the Viewport border.
2. On the Modify menu, select MOVE.
3. In the drawing, select a point and then another point to the left of the
first one. The Viewport moves to the left. Notice that the associative
dimension is updated automatically.
4. Click Layer Control. Select the lightbulb icon for the Viewport border
to turn it off.
 124

7.2.3 Creating Center Marks & Leaders on a circle

You can use DIMCENTER to create centre marks for circles & arcs.
You can use the Leader Settings dialog box to specify straight or curved
leader lines, leader line attachment to the annotation, and annotation
format.
0 Choose Layout1 tab.
1 Right-click any toolbar and choose Dimension.
2 On the Dimension toolbar, choose Center Mark to place a cross in
the center.
3 Select the edge of the circle. The centre mark is displayed.
4 On the Dimension toolbar, choose Quick Leader.
5 Press ENTER to display the Leader Settings dialog box  select
Frame Text (on Annotation tab) to put a frame around the text  O.K.
6 SHIFT + Right-click  Nearest.
7 Select the edge of the circle  specify an additional point  (to
complete the leader line.
8 Press  (to indicate that you do not want to constrain the width of
the leader text).
10) At the command line, type the text (e.g. 200 x 50)  .
11) Press  to indicate that no more leader text is required.

7.3 EDITTING DIMENSIONS

Some of the reasons you may have for modifying existing dimensions:
The drawing plot scale changes.
You make changes to dimensioned geometry.
You want to override AutoCAD measurement for the dimension.
You want to reposition the dimension text for the purpose of clarity.
You want to change the settings for some elements of a dimension
without having to re-create the dimension.

7.3.1 Editing Dimension Geometry

Using grips to reposition text and edit dimension.
 125

1. Ensure that the command line is blank.

2. Click on the dimension. The grips will appear at the centre point of the
text.
3. Click on the blue grip to turn it red, then right-click and choose to
Move the text or to Stretch the extension line.
Certain grips control certain directions of movement. The right-click
menu has options for working with the selected grip as well as options for
editing the dimension itself.
If you want to change the actual look of a dimension part (e.g. substitute a
different arrowhead or suppress an extension line), use the Properties
window. All the dimension settings in the New/Modify Dimension Style
dialog box are available in the Properties window when you select one or
more dimensions. Be warned, however, that when you change the settings
in the Properties window, you’re overriding the default style setting for
this dimension. If you select one or more dimensions and right-click, the
cursor menu will display a number of options for overriding dimension
settings or assigning a different style.
0 With the grips visible, click the grip near the dimension text.
1 Notice that when you move the cursor vertically, the text moves
along the dimension line. When you move the cursor horizontally, the
dim lines and text move together (i.e. the entire dim line, including the
text moves).
2 Enter @200<0  (or Cartesian coordinates or OSNAP). The
dimension line, text and dimension extensions move to the right by
200mm.

NOTES:
 To move several dimension lines at once, select them all, then SHIFT
+ click one set of dimension line grips from each dimension. Once you’re
selected the grips, click one of the hot grips again. You can then move all
the dim line at once.
 If you select the grip that is nearest to the dimension text and select
Rotate, the dimension will rotate around the text. The text itself does not
rotate. Type DIMEDIT  to rotate the text and not the dimension line.
 If you’re working with a Radius or Diameter dimension, you can grip
edit the center point of the dimension. If you reposition the center point,
the dimension text will change. Always make sure you move the point
back to the center of the dimensioned object.
 DO NOT use Explode command on Dimension.
 126

7.3.2 Editing Dimension Text

[To add a prefix or a suffix to the true measurement]

1. Modify  Object  Text  Edit Press Enter to edit dimension

text in the Multiline Text Editor (as with ordinary text).
Or click the dimension object (suppose it reads: 25.00)  . The Multiline
Text Editor appears.
2. Click the Contents input box, move the cursor to the left of the < >
sign, then type INSULATION.
3. Click O.K. The dimension now changes to read “25.00
INSULATION”
The default text < > in the Multiline Text Editor is the actual dimension
length. To override it, type a specific length. If you only want to add a
prefix or suffix to the true dimension, type it before or after the < >. For
example, if you enter < >MAX., and the actual distance is 25.00, then
AutoCAD displays 25.00MAX.
Warning: DO NOT override the default dimension text by deleting and
replacing the < > with a numeric value. Doing so eliminates AutoCAD’s
capability of keeping dimension measurements current, and you get no
visual clue that the default distance has been overridden. Add the text
before and/or after < > as you see fit.
If you delete < > marker, the actual coordinate will not appear in the
dimension

7.3.3 The Dimension EDIT Button

It offers a quick way to edit existing dimensions:
• You can edit more than one dimension’s text at a time.
• You can change a string of dimensions to read “Equal” in lieu of
actual dimensioned distance.
• You can make graphical changes to the text.
• Other options of the Dimension Edit button are:

1. Click the Edit button. The prompt reads: “Enter type of Dimension
Edit [Home /New / Rotate /Obligue] <Home>:”.
 HOME option moves the dimension text to its standard default
position and angle.
 Type N  . The Multiline Text Editor appears showing the < >
brackets in the text box. Click the space before or after the bracket and
enter the text you want to append to the dimension, and then click O.K.
 127

 Type R  for rotating a dimension text to a new angle. Type: 45 

(for 45-degrees angle).
(This can also be done using: Dimension  Align Text  Angle 
select the dimension text  select an angle).
2. At the “Select Objects” prompt, pick the dimensions you want to edit,
and then press ENTER to finish your selection.
 128

8. HATCHING

8.1 The Boundary Hatch Dialog Box

8.1.1 Hatching New Areas Using Existing Pattern
8.1.2 Changing SNAPBASE Origin
8.1.3 Using the "Normal" Option
8.1.4 Using DRAWORDER Command
8.2 Editing a Hatch Pattern
8.3 The Gradient Fill: Colour Model Overview
 129

8. HATCHING
8.1 The Boundary Hatch Dialog Box

The Boundary Hatch dialog box lets you first define the boundary within
which you want to place a hatch pattern. You do this by simply clicking a
location inside the boundary area. AutoCAD finds the actual boundary
for you. Many options give you control over how a hatch boundary is
selected.
Instead of selecting the area to be hatched by clicking a point, you can
select the actual objects that bound the area you wish to hatch using the
Select Objects button. The Swatch button opens the Hatch Pattern Palette
dialog box, which lets you select a predefined hatch pattern from a
graphic window. As well, ISO and Custom (to create your own pattern)
tabs are available.
NOTE: The areas you want to hatch must be completely closed, e.g.
circle, polygon, rectangle, line, pline with close option.

(a) To Hatch Simple Closed Areas (i.e. with no additional

objects inside them):
HATCH button  Click the Pick Points button in the Boundary Hatch
dialog box (to define the area to be hatched)  Pick a point inside the
boundary  Specify a hatch pattern  Specify Angle, Scale &
Spacing (if using User Defined option)  Preview   O.K.
Alternatively, you can click the Select Objects button and select object(s)
that form a fully closed (polyline) boundary.

(b) To Hatch Islands: If you have one closed object inside another,
the resulting hatch pattern depends on the location of the picking point, as
shown.
 130

8.1.1 Hatching New Areas Using an Existing Pattern in the

Drawing

 Inherit Properties: you can select and copy a previously inserted

hatch pattern as a prototype for other objects in the drawing. Click the
Inherit Properties button. A special pick box and icon appear in the
drawing. Pick the existing hatching. Another special “painter” crosshair
and icon appear. Use these crosshairs to select an internal point of the
area to which you want to apply the hatch pattern.

NOTE: After selecting the prototype hatch object, you can right-click
and use the shortcut menu to toggle between the Select Objects and Pick
Internal Point options to create boundary. It doesn’t work with exploded
hatch pattern.

When you use the Pick Points button, AutoCAD analyses all objects that
are visible on the screen to determine the hatch boundary. In complex
drawings, you must zoom in on the whole area you want to hatch.

1. Hatch  on the Advanced tab, under Boundary set, click on the

New button to select objects, make a window around the objects which
define the boundary set   Pick Points button  click inside the
new areas to be hatched  .
2. Click on Inherit Properties button  click on the existing hatch
pattern to acquire its properties  Preview (to check the inherited
properties, in the Hatch tab)   O.K.
If you want the hatch pattern to pass through the circle but not the text:
 Before clicking O.K. in step 2 above, click on Remove Islands button
 click on the circle to remove it from the boundary definition  make
sure Normal or Outer option is checked  Preview (the pattern should
pass through the circle but not the text)  Esc.
 131

 Solid Fill Predefined Hatch Pattern: this option fills the area with a
solid colour. Like any other object, a solid hatch takes on the current
object colour (or the current layer’s colour) if you leave colour set to
Bylayer.

EXERCISE1:
HATCHING A MECHANICAL FIXTURE
LOCK-SCREW & BODY with GUIDE

The Lock-Screw is composed of a pair of mirrored polylines with ends

meeting, forming an enclosed space.
Create LOCK-SCREW layer and make it current.
0 Draw  Hatch (or type: BHATCH  )  select a pattern from
the Quick tab of the displayed Boundary Hatch dialog box  set Angle
to 0, and let Scale be 1.00 (for a trial, adjust for Metric).
1 Click the Select Object button  pick the 2 polylines at (a) and (b)
and press  .
2 Right-click and choose Preview from the shortcut menu. Right-
click to return to the Boundary Hatch dialog box and select a scale of
0.75. Click Preview. Right-click and choose O.K. to apply the hatch
object. The hatch is now drawn on the LOCK-SCREW current layer.
3 Set the layer BODY current, and restart the hatch command 
click Inherit Properties button  place the “inherit” cursor in the
drawing area you hatched earlier and pick point (c).
4 Right-click and select Pick Internal Point. Place the “transfer to”
cursor at point (d) and click. Right-click (or press ENTER) and choose
Preview. Notice that the text object “GUIDE” is treated as an island and
excluded from hatching.
5 Assume you don’t want the inner circle representing guide-bar to
inherit the current hatch properties. Press ENTER (or right-click) to
return to the dialog box and click Remove Islands. In the drawing, pick
 132

the inner circle to remove it from the boundary set. Right-click and
choose Preview. Right-click and choose O.K. to accept the hatch.
6 Right-click and choose Repeat BHatch. In the dialog box, under
Type, select User-Defined from the drop-down list. In the Spacing input
box, (as a first trial) type 2.5. Select the Double option check box.
7 Click Pick Points  click inside the inner circle  right-click and
choose Preview  click O.K.
The drawing now has a user-defined hatching pattern for the guide-bar.
Now to hatch the BASE:
8 Right-click and choose Repeat BHatch In the Type drop-down
list, select Predefined  In the Pattern drop-down list, select the Solid
pattern [or select Steel pattern and let 0 be in the Angle box & 20 in the
Scale box].
9 Click Pick Points  pick inside the BASE  right-click and
Preview the boundary set  right-click and then click O.K. to accept the
solid hatch.
EXERCISE2:
A HATCH PATTERN REPRESENTING FLOOR TILE

o Create a new layer called Floor Pattern, and make it current.

o Click the Hatch button on the Draw toolbar (or type H  ).
o In the displayed Boundary Hatch dialog box, under Type,
open the drop-down list and select User-Defined. This
option lets you define a simple crosshatch pattern by
specifying the line spacing of the hatch and whether it is a
single- or double-hatch pattern. The Angle and Spacing
input boxes become available so you can enter values. If you
choose Predefined, then select the hatch pattern from
Pattern drop-down list or the dialog box button […] next to
it, by double-clicking on it and then click O.K.
o Double-click the Spacing box near the bottom and enter 150
(for the hatch’s line spacing). If you leave the Angle value at
0, the pattern will be aligned square with the wall.
o Click the check box labeled Double (to the right of the
Spacing input box) to have the hatch pattern runs both
vertically. Observe the displayed sample view of your hatch
pattern.
o Click the Pick Points button. The prompt at the command
line: “Select Internal point”.
o Click a point anywhere inside the area(s) you want hatched,
and press  . Notice that a highlighted outline appears in
 133

that area. This is the boundary AutoCAD has selected to

enclose the hatch pattern. If you have text in the hatch
boundary, AutoCAD avoids hatching over it, unless you
select the Ignore option in the Boundary Style options of the
Advanced Hatch Settings. If AutoCAD highlights the wrong
boundary, right-click, choose Clear All, and then try again.
o Click the Preview button in the lower-left corner of the
dialog box to see what the hatch will look like and to
confirm it.
o Right-click (or press ENTER) to return to the dialog box. If
you want to extend the hatch pattern to an adjacent area,
click the Pick Points button again, and pick a point inside
that area, then press Enter. Click Preview again to see the
hatch pattern now cover all selected areas.
o Right-click to return to the dialog box. Click O.K. to place
the hatch pattern in the drawing.

EXERCISE 3:
Hatching Distant Objects with "Inherit Properties"

To hatch a closed object using the hatch of another distant object in the
drawing:
0 To make the existing hatch layer current, click on the existing hatch
line in the drawing. The Layers toolbar indicates the hatch layer it resides
on. Click on Make Object's Layer Current button (to make the layer of the
selected object current).
1 Zoom to Extents to look at the full plan.
2 View Viewports  2Viewports  Type: H (horizontal
Viewport)
3 By default, the top view is activated. Zoom in on the existing
hatched object in the top Viewport. Click just once in the bottom
Viewport to activate it, then in on the object you want to hatch to fill the
screen.
4 HATCH  Pick Point  click inside the object  .
5 Click Inherit Properties button  click inside the top Viewport to
activate it  click on the hatch pattern to acquire its properties O.K.

8.1.2 Changing SNAPBASE Origin for Placing a Hatch

Accurately
EXERCISE4:
 134

Draw a rectangle or a closed polyline to represent the area.

Type: Snapbase  . [By default, hatch patterns use the drawing 0,0
origin].
At the prompt “Enter new value for Snapbase”. To change the hatch
pattern origin, use the Endpoint OSNAP and click the lower-left corner of
the rectangle.
Click the Hatch button  click Pick Point  click inside the bathroom
 .
In the Boundary Hatch dialog box, select a pattern from the […]
Predefined (you can select any pattern by double-click on it)  type the
spacing check the Double option  enter Scale  Preview.
Press ENTER  on the Advanced tab, click Outer Island option 
Preview  (you may have to press Preview on the Hatch tab).
For Metric users: double-click the Scale box and enter 25.4 to scale
a pattern to match the English measurements, and then click O.K.
Hatch Scale = pattern-specific multiplier x drawing S.F.
E.g., if a pattern looks O.K. in full scale (1:1) drawing with a hatch
scale of 0.75 (in English units), then, a drawing in mm with a scale
factor of 10, the hatch scale factor to be used is 0.75 x 10 x 25.4 =
190 mm. Use trial and error to get it right.
You can now move the Snapbase setting back to 0,0 setting without
affecting the hatch pattern drawn.

8.1.3 Hatching Every Other Area: NORMAL Option

This is a summary:
1. HATCH  Pick Point click inside the areas  .
2. Predefined  choose a pattern  set a Scale.
3. Choose Advanced tab  select Normal button  Preview (you may
need to click it on the Quick (Hatch) tab   Esc.

8.1.4 Using DRAWORDER to Control the Display of

Overlapping Objects
 135

In order to have a Solid pattern completely fill a hatch area having text in
it, click Ignore option on the Advanced tab to ignore the text boundary.
You can then bring back the text which has now disappeared underneath
solid fill as shown in the following exercise.
EXERCISE5:

0 Tools menu  Display Order Send to Back

1 Select the Solid fill, and press ENTER.
The solid fill is now underneath all other objects.

8.2 EDITING A HATCH PATTERN

Hatch patterns are like blocks in that they act like single objects. You can
explode a hatch pattern to edit its individual lines.
8.2.1 Method 1: Double-Clicking
o Double-click the hatch pattern. The Hatch Edit dialog box
appears. It is the same as the Boundary Hatch dialog box
with a few options grayed out.
o Click the ellipsis […] button to the right of the Pattern drop-
down list.
o In the displayed Hatch Pattern Palette dialog box, locate and
double-click another pattern.
o Click O.K. to accept the change to the hatch pattern.

8.2.2 Method 2: The Properties Window

The Properties button offers most of the settings needed to make changes.
Click a hatch pattern  right-click  select Properties
The Properties dialog box appears and displays a Pattern Category, which
offers a Pattern Name option. When you click this option, an ellipsis
button appears, allowing you to open the Hatch Pattern Palette. You can
then select a new pattern from the dialog box. The Type option lets you
change the type of hatch pattern from Predefined to User Defined.

8.2.3 Method 3: Hatch Edit

Click a hatch object right-click  choose Hatch Edit  make changes
to object’s current setting  Preview  O.K.

NOTE: If you create and edit hatch patterns frequently, Modify II toolbar
is useful and contains an Edit Hatch button that gives ready access to the
 136

Hatch Edit dialog box. To open this toolbar, right-click any toolbar, then
click modify II check box.

8.3 Gradient Fill: COLOR MODEL OVERVIEW

1. The RGB Color Model

RGB stands for the 3 primary colors: Red, Green and Blue. A large
number of colors can be generated by mixing different values of red,
green, and blue (0 to 255 values each). Think of each pixel as a point in
space with 3 color spots (red, green and blue) aimed at it. If only the red
spot light is on, you get a red color. If you turn on the green color, and as
you increase its intensity, the color will change from orange to yellow. If
all lights are on and at full intensity, you will get white. If all lights are on
and lit with equal intensities, you get gray shades.
The color gamut of a model refers to the possible number of colors it can
generate. In an RGB model, each color component can have 256 values.
As a result, the RGB color gamut encompasses 256 * 256 * 256 = 16.7
million colors. This is known as True Color, High Color, or 24-bit Color.

2. The HSL Color Model

The HSL allows you to compose a color using 3 color characteristics:

Hue, Saturation, and Luminance.
HUE: refers to a color on the color wheel, such as red, yellow, and green.
Its value varies from 0 to 360-degrees.

SATURATION: refers to the density of the color. High saturation values

will result in vivid colors. Low saturation values will result in dull colors.
Its value varies from 0 to 100%.

LUMINANCE: refers to how dark or bright the color is. Its values range
from 0 to 100%.

It is easier to pick a color using the HSL model because its characteristics
are relevant to human perception than the RGB color model.
 137

9. BLOCKS & Xrefs

9.1 Blocks
Introduction
Procedures for Creating an Internal Drawing File
Measure & Divide Commands to Insert Blocks
Finding about Blocks: Grips, List & Properties
Fitting a Block
9.2 Creating External Drawing Files
9.2.1 WBlocking
9.2.2 Inserting WBlock
9.2.3 Scale Factor
9.2.4 PS Command
9.3 External References (Xrefs)
0 9.3.1 How to Create an Xref File
1 9.3.2 Attaching Xrefs
2 9.3.3 Revising Blocks & Xrefs
 138

9.1 BLOCKS

9.1.1 INTRODUCTION

BLOCK: is an object or group of objects gathered together and given a

name. For example, you can draw a screw using lines, plines, and arcs,
and then make a block definition out of all these objects. The screw will
be treated as a single object for copying, moving, etc... A complete
drawing can be treated as a block. The block definition is an invisible
entity that is stored in the drawing file and consists of:
0 The block name.
1 An insertion point to help you place the block.
2 The objects to be grouped into the block.
The BLOCK command creates a block definition from objects in the
current drawing, and can only be used within the drawing .
 To use the block definition in multiple drawings, there are two
methods:
o Use AutoCAD DesignCentre.
o Use WBLOCK (which creates a new symbol DWG file
from objects in the current drawing, or from a block
definition in the current drawing). Use INSERT command
to insert this external file as a block in any current drawing.
Blocks and layers have close relationship:-
 Blocks created on other than layer0 would permanently possess the
properties such as color and linetype that were in effect when they were
created. But if you create a block using geometry on layer0, the block has
no properties of its own but takes on the features of the layer into which it
is inserted. For example, suppose a block is created from objects on
layers Walls (red) and windows (yellow). If this block is inserted into a
drawing that does not contain those layers, then the layers will be
automatically created by the block as it is inserted. The layers will have
the same properties as the original two layers, red and yellow. This will
occur even if the current layer at the time of insertion is layer0. And if
this block is “Exploded” for editing, the objects of the block would fall
back to their original layers.
 Before you create a block, you must consider the layers on which the
objects to be blocked reside. If a block is always going to be on the same
layer, the objects making up the block can remain on that layer. If the
block may be inserted on several layers, the objects in the block will need
to be moved to layer0 before the block definition is created.
 139

 Suppose a block resides on a layer made up of objects residing on

different layers. All the objects of the block will disappear from their
respective layers when the block layer is frozen.
 Using standard commands, blocks can be moved, rotated, copied,
erased, scaled, and exploded. They can’t be trimmed, extended, offset, or
filleted.
 If you insert a drawing with lines on a layer called Ducts that is blue
and dashed into a drawing having a layer called Ducts that is red and
continuous, the inserted lines will turn red and continuous. The rule
applies to linetype, text style, etc. if the host drawing and inserted
drawing share the same name.
 If you want a block to inherit the current properties (color, linetype and
lineweight), assign its comprising objects ByBlock properties before you
define it.

NOTES:
 Blocks should be drawn at real world size, and kept in a separate
folder.
 If all you need to do is make some objects into a group so that you can
more easily select them for coping, moving, etc.., then:
Type: Group  .
In the Group Manager Dialog box, select some objects  click Create
Group button  type a name for the group.
 Press CTRL + H to toggle the group On/Off. When On, picking an
object in the group selects all objects in the group.

9.1.2 PROCEDURES FOR CREATING AN

INTERNAL BLOCK DRAWING FILE

Creating a DOOR Block

 140

(a) How to Make a Block Definition

(To Be Inserted Only into the Drawing it was Created In)

(a) Make the Doors layer current using the Layers drop-down list to make
it current (or click a door then click Make Object’s Layer Current button,
which is the first button on the Object Properties toolbar).
(b) OSNAP On, POLAR On. Check in Endpoint OSNAP. Check Object
Snap box O.K.

Making a Door Block

Click the Make Block button on the Draw toolbar (or Draw  Block 
Make)  type name of block: D-1
In the Block Definition Dialog box, type a Name for the Block, e.g., D-1
(do not press Enter). Pull down the Name list to see the names of all
current blocks in your drawing.
Click Pick Point button. The dialog box momentarily disappears. Select a
point on the screen as the insertion (or base) point using OSNAP (or you
may enter the X, Y, Z coordinates of the insertion point in the dialog box).
Use a consistent point on the group of objects for the base point, such as the
lower-left corner.
Click Zoom Window button and make a window around the door area to
fill the screen. Move the cursor to the hinge point (Endpoint) to
facilitate its placement in the drawing and click. This is the insertion
point. The Block Definition dialog box returns.
Click on Select Objects button. Use a selection window around the
object(s) that you want as part of the block (here, the door and the
swing). . The dialog box returns.
Choose from Retain/ Convert to Block/ Delete radio buttons. Choose the
Delete option to remove from the drawing. Ensure the Create radio button
is selected. Confirm drawing unit. Enter a useful description to identify the
block.
Click O.K.
You have now created a block definition called D-1 stored with the
drawing file, i.e. an internal file.
OPTIONS:
RETAIN: the objects are left in the drawing and are not converted to a
block after being used to define the new block. Use this option if you
want to make several similar blocks from the same set of objects.
CONVERT to BLOCK: the original objects are erased and then
reinserted as a single block in their original position in the drawing. Use
 141

this option if the first use of the block has geometry identical to that of
the set of objects it is replacing.
DELETE: the objects are erased from the drawing after the new block is
defined. Use this if the first use of the block will be at a different scale,
orientation, or location from the set of objects it is replacing.

(b) How to Insert Blocks

(Inserting the Door Block)
1. Click Insert Block.. (Or click Insert Block button on Draw
toolbar) to display the Insert dialog box.
2. The Name drop-down list of the displayed Insert dialog box contains
the names of the blocks in the current drawing. Open the list and select
the block.
3. Enter the Insertion point, Scale and Rotation angle of the block. Or
you can choose to click the Specify On-Screen check box in any of
these 3 areas to specify these parameters on-screen at the command
prompt. Here, check Specify On-Screen for all: Insertion point, Scale,
and Rotation.
4. Click O.K. The door D-1 is now attached to the cursor with the hinge
point (the specified base point) coinciding with the intersection of the
crosshair. The command line asks for the insertion point and the options
given refer to the scaling and rotation of the block.
Move the cursor to upper Endpoint of the jamb line of the door opening
and click. The block will be inserted at the size it was drawn. The
prompt now:” Enter X scale factor, Specify opposite Corner, or
[Corner/XYZ]<1>:”.
5. Press Enter to accept the default of 1 for X scale factor. Or type 2 
to scale the block twice along the X-axis. Do the same for Y scale factor
and Z scale factor.
7. The door now comes into view and swings with the cursor movement.
8. At the prompt: Specify rotation angle<0>:” press Enter.
This completes the procedures.

EXAMPLES:

(i) Using Temporary Tracking to Insert a Block

(Insert a window block over a sink)
 142

Run Midpoint & Perpendicular OSNAP.

1. Insert (on Draw toolbar)  highlight the window block in the
Name-drop list  check that Specify On-Screen boxes are marked
O.K.
2. At the Specify Insertion point prompt, click the Temporary
Tracking Point button on the OSNAP toolbar. Position the cursor
near point (a) Midpoint OSNAP and click. You have set a
temporary tracking point, and (+) appears at that point.
3. Move the cursor to point (b) and click at the perpendicular symbol.
The insertion has been placed on point (b), centered over the sink.

(ii) Using Polar Tracking to Insert the window Block and

Rotating It
POLAR, OSNAP& MODEL should be On. Consider the drawing in the
previous example.
Insert  select the block from the Insert dialog box  select Specify-On
screen for all 3 check boxes  O.K.
The block is attached to the cursor at the insertion point. Move the cursor
near point(c) (if point (c) happens to be in the midpoint of the wall, then
Midpoint OSNAP should be running) and click when the symbol appears.
When you’re prompted for rotation angle, move the cursor till the polar
tracking lines and ToolTip appears to the required position, and then
click.

(iii) Flipping a Block While Inserting It

When you insert a block, giving a value of -1 to the X or Y-scale factor
has the effect of flopping the block. If you type -1 for the Y scale factor
in the Insert dialog box, the block will flip over along the y-axis (the x-
axis being a mirror line).

9.1.3 Using MEASURE & DIVIDE Commands

To Insert a BLOCK along a Path

MEASURE: It enables you to insert a block in multiple places along a

line, arc, or polyline at a given distance, i.e. placing equally spaced
 143

blocks. For example, to insert a MANHOLE block every 100m along a

centerline.
DIVIDE: It allows you to insert a block multiple times along a line, arc,
or polyline at given number of times, i.e. placing evenly spaced blocks.
For example, to insert a MANHOLE block 30 times along the centerline.

EXAMPLE:

Suppose in a drawing you need to have 30 circular manholes

network inserted along the oval centerline as shown, and
another network where the manholes need to be placed every
45m around the curb.

(a) Define the Block:

1. Modify  Rotate select the manhole  .
2. Click the center of the circle to specify the base point.
3. Type: -90  (to rotate the manhole).
4. Type: B  (or click Make Block to open the Block Definition dialog
box).
5. Type: MANHOLE in the Name box  click Pick Point  Click on
the center of the circle to specify the insertion point  click Select
objects button  use a window selection to select the manhole  
select Delete option  O.K.

(b) Placing the Manholes Around the Centerline:

0 Draw (from the pull-down menu)  Point  Divide.
1 At the prompt for object selection to divide, select the path’s
centerline.
2 At the “Enter the number of segments or [Block]:” prompt, type:
B (Block option).
3 At the “Enter name of block to insert:” prompt, type MANHOLE
and press Enter.
4 At the “Align block with Object? Y/N<Y>:” prompt, press Enter
to align the block with the selected object.
 144

5 At the “Enter the number of segments:” prompt: type 30  .

AutoCAD draws 30 evenly spaced manhole blocks along the centerline.

(c) Placing the Manholes equally along the curb:

0 Draw  Point  Measure.
1 Click on near the top end of the offset Pline.
2 Type: B  (or click Make Block).
3 Type the block name to insert   Press  to align the
manholes with the curb.
4 Type: 45  to place the blocks starting at a distance of 45m
segment length from the top end of the Pline, and then every 45m
between the blocks.
5 Erase the Pline.

9.1.4 Finding About Blocks in a Drawing and Making

Changes
0 Using Grips:
Grips appear at strategic places on objects that are selected when no
command is started. But if you select a block, by default, only one grip
appears at the block’s insertion point.
(i) Tools Options  Selection tab  Enable Grips within Blocks is
unchecked by default. This default is where the system variable
Gripblock is set to <0> to display only one grip indicating the block
insertion point. Uncheck this option box to display all the grips on the
objects inside the block. Or, type: Gripblock   type: 1
(ii) Click on the most suitable grip to highlight it  drag the block and
place it where it should be  Esc.

1 Using the List Command:

Each time you use the List command and select an object, the text screen
will display information about the object selected.
0 Tools Inquiry  List  Click on the block  . In the text
window, you see 8 lines of text for what the object is (Block Reference):
the name of the block, the coordinates of the insertion point in the
drawing, the X and Y scale factors, and the rotation angle. The last 3 lines
are usually displayed in the command line.
1 If you want to re-name the block:
0 F2 toggles the text screen ON/OFF.
 145

1 Format Rename..  Select Blocks from the "Named Objects"

list  under Item, select the block you want to rename  click on
Rename To button to rename it  O.K.
2 Using the Properties Dialog Box:
When the Properties command is started and only one object is
selected, the dialog box will display data specific to the selected
object.
 Click on a block  click the Properties button  in the
Categorized tab, and at the top of the dialog box, a drop-down list
displays the type of object selected (a block reference)  click (x) to
close it  press Esc.

9.1.5 Redefining a Block

Modifying the Objects in a Block & Automatically
Updating All Its References in the Drawing

0 Make the layer on which the object was created current, to re-
define it.
1 Insert  Block..  Select the block from the Name list 
check-in Specify On-Screen box for Insertion  keep the other 2
Specify On-Screen boxes unchecked (to keep the object's original Scale
and Rotation).  O.K.
2 Click a point in a blank area to specify the temporary insertion
point.
3 Modify  Explode  Click on the inserted block  .
4 Modify the components as required.
5 Click Make Block button choose the object's name from the list.
(If you assign the same name to the modified block that you assigned to
the original, all the instances of that block in the drawing are updated) 
Pick Point  click a point as insertion point   Select Objects 
use a window selection   check Delete button  O.K.  Yes (to
redefine the block).

NOTES: If any blips appear on the drawing, you can turn them off by
typing: blipmode  Off  .

9.1.6 Fitting a Block in a Designated Area

(Calculating the X- and Y-axis Scale Factor)

X-Scale factor = Designated area X-Scale / Block X-Scale

 146

Y-Scale factor = Designated area Y-Scale / Block Y-Scale

1. Insert  Block..  Select the block from the Name list  make sure
you check-in Specify On-Screen boxes for Insertion, Scale and
Rotation  O.K.
2. Click to define the insertion point  specify the X-Scale factor  
specify the Y-Scale factor   enter 0 if the orientation is the same 
.

9.2 CREATING EXTERNAL FILES

Block as a Drawing File to be Used in Multiple Drawings

 Preliminary
A block does not exist as a file on the hard disk until you wblock it.
(1) Type wblock 
(2) In the Write Block Dialog box, accept the default Block  Select the
block name from the down-arrow list (Valve1, in this case)  O.K.
The block is now converted to drawing file named Valve1.

To develop your block library using predefined blocks residing in

existing drawings, you must export them as individual drawings. Each
symbol in such a library is a single drawing file in a sample folder.
The Write block dialog box of the WBLOCK command offers 3 options
to allow you exporting blocks:
(1) Block option: This default is for making a drawing file out of an
existing block that is defined in the current drawing. You will select the
name of the block from the drop-down list at the top, then enter a
filename and click O.K. The objects in the new drawing are no longer in a
block.
(2) Entire Drawing option: To export the entire drawing to a new file
for purging it of unwanted objects such as layers that have no objects on
them and block definitions that have no references in the drawing. In this
case, you can keep the same drawing name or type in a new one.
(3) Objects option: To select a group of objects and then export them as
a new block.
After you have identified the desired block(s), assign a new filename
determine the location in which to save the new block, and select its
Insert Units, and then click O.K. the new drawing file can then be
Inserted as a block into any drawing.
 147

9.2.1 Wblock Operation

Suppose you want to copy a Valve-2 from an existing drawing (Valve-
2.dwg). With the source drawing as the current drawing, and to export the
group of objects:
1. Type w  .
2. In the Write Block dialog box:
o Select the Objects radio button (to export objects). When
you select with a crossing window here, you will get more
than what you need, but you can clean up the new drawing
later.
o Click the Pick point button and, in the drawing, pick an
insertion point just below and to the left of the area to be
captured.
o Click the Select Objects button; use a crossing window to
select every thing near the part of the drawing you want  .
o Choose Retain radio button (so the selected material is not
deleted from the current drawing) or Delete (to delete the
original objects).
o Check that units are in mm.
o Enter a file name for the new drawing. Click on the […]
button, next to the Location list, to open the Browse for
Drawing File dialog box (to choose a folder in which to
save the file). Locate and double-click the Symbols-1 folder
(you created already) to open it.
3. Click Save  Click O.K.
The selected material is now a new external drawing file located in the
folder that you specified.

NOTES:
0 You can use an external drawing to replace a block definition in
your current drawing. If you click Browse and choose a file whose name
matches the name of a block definition that's already in your drawing,
AutoCAD warns you then update the block definition in your drawing
with the current contents of the external file. This process is called
redefining a block. It automatically updates all the block inserts which
point to the block definition.

1 If you want to edit or change some details on the block, explode it

by clicking EXPLODE button.
 148

9.2.2 INSERTING EXTERNAL BLOCKS INTO THE

CURRENT DRAWING
When you insert a drawing into another drawing, it comes in as a block
(wblock). To insert the drawing Valve-2.dwg created in the previous
section into another drawing.dwg:
1. Make destination drawing current.
2. Insert button (or Inert  Block)  Click Browse button (to open the
Select Drawing File dialog box)  Navigate to the folder containing
Valve-2.dwg (Symbols-1).
3. Double-click on that folder to open it  Highlight Valve-2.dwg 
Click Open (to import it).
The selected drawing file is now displayed in the Name drop-down list of
the Insert dialog box.
4. Set the insertion parameters (Specify On-Screen) in the dialog box,
and click O.K.
5. Finish the procedure as if you inserting block.

9.2.3 Making the Block Scale Factor Usable for

External Files
Open the file that contains the North direction block symbol.
1. Modify  Scale Select the symbol  .
2. Click on the circle center to define the base point.
3. Type: R  (to choose Reference option).
4. Click on the left and right endpoints of the arrow base to define a
reference length.
5. Type: 1  (to specify the new length of the reference length. The
symbol is now scaled to make it fit in a 1 * 1 destination box. This will
make it easier to insert the symbol in other files and assign it a specific
scale without the need to calculate the scale factors.
To Define the File Insertion Point:
1. Type: Base  .
2. Click on the circle's center point  Save As  give it a name
NORTHSTAR.
To Insert from Any Drawing File:
Insert  Block..  click Browse and select NORTHSTAR  to
specify the Scale factor, type the desired size.
 149

9.2.4 Using the Preview Scale Command

When you insert a block that was created with a drawing unit different
from the current drawing, it may appear very large or very small. The
Preview Scale (PS) option allows you to temporarily change the block
scale to enable you to see the block on the screen.
1. Type: I  (or Insert Block button).
2. Choose the block from the Name list  make sure all 3 Specify On-
Screen options are checked  O.K.
3. Type: ps  .
4. Type a preview scale factor (by trial & error), say: 0.01  .
5. Click a point to specify the insertion point.
6. Specify the X-scale factor, say: 0.005  . Press ENTER to make the
Y-scale factor the same as the X-scale factor.

9.3 EXTERNAL REFERENCES-Xrefs

(Attaching Drawings to a Master Drawing)

An Xref is a reference to another external file (outside the current

drawing) that you can make act as though it is part of your drawing.
A block becomes part of the drawing it is inserted into, but the Xref file
does not. Xrefs allow you to link 2 or more drawings together.
For example, consider 3 separate drawings as below:

 A drawing for a phone

┬───┬ A drawing for a table

‫ﷲ ﭐ‬ A drawing for legends

The drawing of the table (the master or parent drawing) could make
external reference to the phone and legend (child) drawings to produce a
drawing like:

 ‫ﷲ ﭐ‬
┬───┬

The child drawings are not inserted into the master drawing, but instead
are attached to the parent drawing and remain separate drawings. If the
 150

drawing file of the legend is edited or changed in any way, then the
legend in the master drawing will be updated also, unlike the situation
had it been inserted as a block.

9.3.1 How to Create Xref File

(i) Create a (Child) drawing and save it, or use WBLOCK to create a
new DWG from geometry in the current drawing.
(ii) Start up a new drawing (Parent) and make Xref to the one above.
The Xref drawing appears in the Parent drawing as a single object.
Clicking any object in it selects the entire Xrefs. You can use OSNAP to
the Xrefed geometry but you can't modify or delete individual objects.

9.3.2 Attaching Xref

1. Insert  Xref Manager
2. Click Attach.. in the Xref Manager dialog box.
3. In the Select Reference File dialog box, highlight the file you want
(here, Legend)  Open
4. In the External Reference dialog box, ensure that Attachment radio
button is ticked (see note below), and you may Scale the drawing. <1.00>
unscaled is the default. Click O.K.
5. The drawing will appear attached to crosshair. Position it within the
Table drawing.
6. For the second referenced drawing, issue the Xref Manager command
again, and click on Attach..
7. Click on Browse.. button. Select the phone file  Open  O.K., and
position the phone on the table.
8. The files are attached. Save the drawing.
An Xref will update automatically in the drawing it is attached to it, i.e.,
in the master drawing, but only the link to the attachment is saved. Thus,
on a large project, a master drawing containing Xrefs created by different
individuals on a network will always show the latest state of the
drawings.
NOTES:
o Keep the master drawing and all its Xrefs in one folder.
o When the project is finished, you can bind the Xrefs into the
master drawing so that they behave like blocks, i.e., they
become part of the drawing and do not update automatically.
o Attachment &Overlay radio buttons: Attachment is the
default choice. It means that the Xrefed file will always be
 151

included with your drawing when someone else uses it as an

Xref. Overly means that you see the Xrefed drawing, but
someone who Xrefs your drawing won't see the overlaid file.
For example, by choosing Overlay, you can Xref in a map to
your drawing of a house, but not have the map show up
when someone else Xrefs your house drawing.
o When you attach or overlay an Xref, AutoCAD adds new
layers to your current drawing that corresponds to the layers
in the Xrefed
DWG file. The new layers are assigned names that combine the
drawing name and layer name. For example, if you Xref
DETAILS.DWG drawing that has layers GEOMRTRY, TEXT,
etc., the Xref layers will be named DETAILS | GEOMETRY,
DETAILS | TEXT, and so on, thus avoiding a potential problem of
Parent and Child drawings having same layers name but different
colour or linetype.
o The parameters for the Xref in the dialog box include the
insertion point, scaling factors and rotation angle. You can
set these parameters in the dialog box or specify them on-
screen.

9.3.3 Revising a Block & Updating Its Xrefs

If you need to revise a block that has already been inserted in the
drawing several times, the following procedures will modify them all
at one time:
Suppose blocks for single-pane windows in a building are required to
be replaced by double-glazing windows.
You need to choose a block whose parameters: the X & Y scale
factors were at the <1> default value and <0> for rotation.
Insert  Open the Name drop-down list and click the window block
 Click O.K.
Pick a clear point on the screen for the insertion point temporary location.
Press    to accept the defaults for X,Y-scale factors, and the
rotation angle.
Zoom into a closer view, then  Modify  In-place Xref and Block
Edit  Edit reference.
Select the new block reference that was just inserted. The Reference Edit
dialog box comes up and the window block is in the Preview. Click O.K.
AutoCAD prompts you to select nested objects.
 152

Select the glazing line in the block and press Enter. The glazing line turns
white and the REFEDIT toolbar appears.
Use the Offset command to offset the glazing line 12mm up and down.
Erase the original line.
On the right side of the Refedit toolbar, click the rightmost button whose
ToolTip says:” Save back changes to reference”.
An AutoCAD warning appears. Click O.K. the block definition has been
revised and all windows in the drawing are now double-glazing.
Erase the block reference inserted for modification (step 2).

9.3.4 Common Applications for Blocks & Xrefs:

 Xrefs:
0 The parts of a title block that is the same on all sheets in a project.
1 Reference element that need to appear in multiple drawings.
2 Assemblies that are repeated in one or more drawings, especially if
the assemblies are likely to change together.
3 Pasting up several drawings, e.g., details, onto one plot sheet.
4 Temporary attaching a background drawing for reference or tracing
purposes.

 Blocks:
0 Components those aren't likely to change.
1 Small components.
2 A simple assembly that's used repeatedly, but in only one drawing.
(You can easily update a block in one drawing by inserting it in a blank
area, exploding and editing it, and then redefining it with the BLOCK
command).
3 Any time you want to include attributes (i.e. variable text field),
unlike Xrefs.
 153

10. SHARING INFORMATION BETWEEN

DRAWINGS

10.1 Dragging & Dropping Between 2 Drawings

10.2 Copy-and-Paste
10.3 WBlocking & Inserting
10.4 AutoCAD DesignCenter
10.4.1 Introduction
10.4.2 Viewing Source Objects
10.4.3 Loading into DesignCenter
10.4.4 The FIND Button
10.4.5 How to Use
10.4.6 Opening Drawings
10.4.7 Copy-and-Paste for Named Objects
10.4.8 Inserting Blocks
10.4.9 DesignCenter Options
 154

10. SHARING INFORMATION BETWEEN

DRAWINGS
Most information in a drawing can be transferred to another drawing.
There are several ways of doing this, depending on the kind of
information that need to be transferred:
0 Named objects such as Layers, Blocks, etc, can be copied out of a
closed drawing into an open one using AutoCAD DesignCentre.
1 Blocks and lines can be dragged over from one open drawing to
another when both drawings are visible on the screen.
2 Copy & Paste method.
3 Wblocking and Inserting.

10.1 AutoCAD DESIGN CENTER

10.1.1 INTRODUCTION
AutoCAD DesignCenter deals with named objects: Layers, Linetype,
Text styles, Dimension styles, Block definitions (& Xrefs), and Layouts.
After named objects are created in one drawing, AutoCAD DesignCentre
gives you the tools to copy them to other drawings. It converts
automatically the size of imported blocks to the drawing unit of the
current file provided that this host file is already assigned a drawing unit
[Format  Units select a unit (say meters)  O.K]. Otherwise,
AutoCAD will use the Drag-and-Drop scale specified in the User
Preferences of the Options dialog box.

To display AutoCAD DesignCenter:

 Press DesignCentre button on the Standard toolbar (toggles on/off).
 Ctrl + 2
Like the Properties window, the DesignCenter window is nonmodal (it
doesn't interrupt other AutoCAD commands). When the DesignCentre
window is docked on the left side of the drawing window, you can drag
its inside edge to make it narrower or wider. When it's floating, you can
grab an edge or corner to resize it.
The DesignCenter is composed of 2 window panes:

 The left pane is the Tree View (or Navigation pane). It allows you to
locate folders of source objects and,
 155

 The right pane is the Content pane (or Palette). It allows you to view
the content of the source objects. After you have located the desired
folder and no longer need the Tree View, it is useful to toggle off the Tree
View and let the palette expands automatically, thus making the viewing
of source objects easier.

TOOLBARS

CONTENT AREA ►drag into open drg file►

Contents of the folder.
TREE VIEW Named objects contained in the drg file (blocks, layers, etc)
Click a folder. Name and icons of all blocks that exist in the drg file.
Click a drg file. Click a block icon to display it in the Preview area.
Click a block icon. PREVIEW
(controlled by Preview button)
DESCRIPTION if information was saved with the source object
FILE PATH

The DesignCenter toolbar options are also available from the right-click
menu in a blank area of the content pane.
You can refresh the Tree View and palette display by right-clicking in the
palette, then selecting Refresh from the short menu.
The buttons in the upper-left corner (Desktop, Open Drawings, History
and Custom Content) display views in 4 different modes.
The palette can display source objects in one of 4 views (Large Icons,
Small Icons, List and Details).
If viewing blocks in a drawing, it is appropriate to use the Large Icons
view to better see each block's thumbnail image. When viewing drawing
files in a folder, choosing the Details view may be more desirable.
By right-clicking in the palette, you can select the desired view display by
selecting View from the shortcut menu. Alternatively, Click successively
on the Views tool.
NOTES:
You can load Content into the palette using Windows Explorer by
dragging a file from Explorer to DesignCentre's palette.
For frequently accessed source objects, add them to the Favorites folder
by right-clicking the source object and selecting Add to Favorites from
the shortcut menu. The source object can then be loaded into the palette
by clicking the Favorites button in DesignCentre, and then selecting the
source object's shortcut icon.
 156

You can automatically generate preview images for block references in

the current drawing that do not have preview images, by using the
BLOCKICON command.
In AutoCAD2004, click Home button to import symbols accessed in the
Tree View.
10.1.2 Loading Content into DesignCenter
In addition to the Tree View’s features for locating desired source
objects, DesignCenter has additional methods for loading content. You
can locate drawings using a feature similar to AutoCAD’s Select File
dialog box, which allows you to browse for files. The Load button to
display DesignCenter Palette allows you to indicate the file type for
which you are searching, and display a preview image of the selected file.
You can also use Find feature, which can search local and network drives
for files, as well as source objects within files, using search criteria.

(a) Searching for Drawings Using FIND Button

The Find button opens a dialog box, similar to the Find dialog box in
Windows Explorer, to search and locate drawings you need, and even
source objects residing within a drawing. After you've found one or more
matching drawings you can load them into DesignCentre, open them in
AutoCAD, insert them as blocks, or attach them as Xrefs by right-
clicking on each drawing's name.
• In the Look for drop-down list, choose Drawings.
• From the In drop-down list, choose a drive. If you want to
search a specific folder, use the Browse button to choose it.
• With the Drawing tab being current, type part or the
complete name of the file(s) you're looking for. If you want
DesignCentre to find all drawings that contain a particular
string, enclose the string in asterisks, *Boi* for files using
the string " Boi". Alternatively, you can use names of named
objects, or file modified date.
• Choose File Name.
• Click Find Now button. Matched drawings are displayed.
• Right-click any drawing file name and choose any of the
options from the cursor menu.
NOTE:
You can make your drawings easier to find by adding keywords using
File  Drawing Properties dialog box (at time you working on the
 157

drawing). Enter searchable information; you'll be able to search for

drawings based on Title, Subject, Author, and keyword information.

(b) Locating Files Using Load Button

Create a new folder and name it LEARNING.
Copy some existing drawing files to this folder.
Start a new drawing in AutoCAD.
From the Standard toolbar, select AutoCAD DesignCenter.
Click Load to display the Load DesignCenter Palette dialog box.
Click Find to display the Browse/Search dialog box.
Select the Search tab.
In the Search Pattern text box, type drawing number (with * asterisk at
the end of the text string if you not sure).
In the Search Location area, click the Drives option button, and then click
on LEARNING folder.
10. Click Search.
11. From the displayed search results in the Files list, select a .dwg
file and click Open. AutoCAD displays the file’s location in the Tree
View, and displays its content in the palette

10.1.3 How to Use DesignCenter

The purpose of DesignCentre is to make locating existing AutoCAD
objects easy for copying into the current drawing. Objects like blocks and
Xrefs, layers and layouts, linetypes, text styles and dimension styles can
be copied into the current drawing from the Content pane:
(i) Load the drawing(s) whose content you want to view or use into the
Tree View, on the left.
You can use the Desktop, Load or Find button to load a drawing
containing named objects (Layers, Linetype, Dimension styles, Text
styles or Layout) into DesignCentre without opening it in AutoCAD.
(ii) Click on the various symbol tables (blocks, dim styles, layers,
and so on), viewing their individual named objects in the Content pane
(or palette) on the right. Click on the block icon in the Content pane to
display it in the Preview area.
(iii) Drag (or use copy & paste) individual named objects from the
Content pane (palette) and drop it into the destination drawing to become
part of it. To open or insert a drawing from DesignCenter you must drag
the drawing from the Content pane on the right, not the navigation pane
on the left.
 158

You may also insert a block from the Content area by right-clicking on it
and choosing Insert Block. You then use grips for final positioning.
When you drag and drop to open a drawing from DesignCenter, you must
drop it in the gray area behind any open drawing's windows. If you drop
the drawing name from DesignCenter into another drawing's window,
AutoCAD insert it as a block. You may need to minimize any open
drawings in order to expose the gray area before performing this drag and
drop operation.

10.1.4 Copying Named Objects

(a) Using Copy-and-Paste:

Use this technique to copy: Layers, Dimension Styles, Text Styles,
Linetypes, and Layouts.

1. Click the DesignCentre button on the Standard toolbar.

2. Open or create a drawing containing named objects to copy.
Alternatively, load a drawing into DesignCenter without opening it in
AutoCAD.
3. Open or create a second drawing to which you want to copy the named
objects.
4. Click the Open Drawings button to display your 2 currently opened
drawings in DesignCentre's navigation pane (Tree View) on the left. If
you used the alternative in step 2, DesignCenter already displays the
drawing you selected in Desktop view.
5. If the DesignCentre doesn't display the symbol tables indented
underneath the source drawing (the one you opened in step 2), click the
(+) sign next to the drawing's name to display them.
6. Click the Layers table to display the source drawing's layers in the
content pane.
7. Make selection in the content pane.
8. Right-click in the content pane and choose Copy from the cursor menu
to copy the selected objects to the Windows Clipboard.
9. Click in the destination drawing's window you opened in step 3.
10. Right-click and choose Paste from the cursor menu.

(b) Copying Layers Using Add Layers from the cursor

menu:
1. Open Drawing1
 159

2. Toggle the DesignCentre button ON (from the Standard toolbar).

3. Click the Tree View toggle to close and open the file folder tree
diagram. Leave it open
4. Navigate to the location of the folder and click it to display it on the
Content pane, either in icon or listed form.
5. In the Content, find the source drawing and double-click it.
Now the left side displays a list of your drawings in the source folder with
the source drawing highlighted, and the right side shows the types of
objects in the source drawing that are available to be copied into the
current drawing (Drawing1 in this case).
6. Double-click the Layers symbol. The individual layers are now
displayed on the right side and a list of available types of objects is
displayed on the left, under the source drawing.
7. Click the Views button (which is a 4-way toggle) until you get a view
of the layers in a list.
8. Use SHIFT + Click and CTRL + Click to help you select all the layers
except 0 and the current layers. (For example, SHIFT and Click at a
particular layer highlights all the list from this layer downward. CTRL
and Click at a particular layer will de-select this layer).
9. Right-Click somewhere on the highlighted layers in the right window
(the Content pane). Select Add Layers from the shortcut menu.
The layers of the source drawing are transferred to Drawing1 as displayed
by the Layer Control drop-down list.

10.1.5 Inserting Blocks from Another Drawing

You can insert blocks from DesignCenter by:
Drag a block definition with either left or right mouse button from the
content pane and drop it in a drawing window.
Copy-and-Paste method. This is the most reliable, but it doesn’t let you
change the insertion scale factor. Use the same technique to attach
Xrefs.
Right-click a block definition in the content pane and choose Insert Block
from the cursor menu, to insert it in the current drawing.
(i) The Dragging Method
1. Open a new drawing
2. Click DesignCenter button.
3. On the left side of the DesignCenter, click Blocks in the list under
source drawing. On the right side, the list of blocks in that drawing is
displayed.
 160

4. Click on the Preview button at the top right side of the DesignCenter,
then click on a wanted block (say, Boiler) to display it in the lower-right
corner of the DesignCenter (which is a resizable window).
5. Open the Layer Control list and make Boiler the current layer.
6. Dock the DesignCenter on the left side of the drawing area if it's not
already there, then zoom into the boiler area of the drawing.
7. In the DesignCenter, left-click and drag the Boiler from the list over to
the drawing. As the cursor comes onto the drawing, the Boiler block
appears. Use the End point (or other) OSNAP to locate the block in its
place.
8. Click the close icon in the upper-right corner to close DesignCenter.
9. Close Drawing1.
You may need to proceed as follows:
o On the DesignCenter toolbar, choose Open Drawings. This
displays a list of currently open drawings.
o In the Tree view, double-click a file to display the elements
of the drawing.
o Double-click Blocks to display a list of the block definitions
in that drawing. Select the block & drag it into the current
drawing.

(ii) Copy-and-Paste Method

1. Same as step 1 to 5 of earlier section on Copying Named Objects. The
source drawing from step 2 needs to contain block definition(s).
2. Click the Blocks table to display the source drawing's block definitions
in the content pane.
3. Choose a block definition in the content pane.
4. Right-click in the content pane and choose Copy from the cursor menu
to copy the block definition to the Windows clipboard.
5. Click in the destination drawing's window.
6. Right-click and choose Paste. [Paste to Original Coordinates option
inserts the block into your drawing with its insertion point at origin 0, 0
and not at the coordinates in the source drawing].
7. Specify an insertion point for the block insert.

EXERCISE:
(Loading into the Palette)
1. Start a new drawing in AutoCAD.
2. From the Standard toolbar, select DesignCenter.
 161

3. In the Tree View, navigate to LEARNING folder (created in

previous exercise) and click the (+) sign to expand the folder.
4. Now, use DesignCenter to attach an Xref to the current drawing. In
the Tree View, click the (+) sign next to a desired drawing file to
display its source objects.
5. In the Tree View, select the Xrefs source object. The palette displays
existing Xrefs that are attached to above drawing.
6. In the palette, right-click an Xref and, from the shortcut menu, select
Attach Xref. AutoCAD displays the External Reference dialog box.
7. Clear the Specify On-Screen check box, and then click O.K.
AutoCAD attaches the Xref to the current drawing.
Now, use DesignCenter to copy a block definition into the current
drawing, noting that the object must not have an existing identical name
in the current drawing. If it does, you must change the name of the
object that already resides in the current drawing.
8. In the Tree View, click the (+) next to a desired drawing file to
display its source objects. Select Blocks. The palette displays the
block definitions that are stored in this chosen drawing.
9. In the palette, right-click a block definition and, from the shortcut
menu, select Insert Block. In the Insert dialog box, specify the
insertion values to insert the block into the current drawing’s Model
space. [NOTE: If you click Cancel in the Insert dialog box to close
it without inserting a block reference, you insert a block definition
into the current drawing’s Model space. The block definition can
then be used at a later time to insert a block reference using the
INSERT command].
Now, use DesignCenter to copy named layers into the current drawing.
10. In the Tree View, select the Layers source object. The palette
displays the named layers that are stored in the selected drawing.
11. In the palette, starting in the upper-left corner, drag a window
around all the layers to select them. Right-click over one of the
highlighted layers, then select Add Layers from the shortcut menu.
The highlighted layers are now added to the current drawing.
NOTE: When copying objects such as blocks and Xref, you can only
copy one object at a time. For objects such as layers, linetypes, and text
styles, you can use multiple objects selection and copy them
simultaneously.
EXERCISE:
Inserting Blocks from a Symbol Library Using
AutoCAD2002 Today Window
Drawings that contain only block definitions are called Symbol Libraries.
 162

Open a drawing.
Open DesignCenter.
View  Zoom  Extents
Click Today ( on the Standard toolbar)  choose the Symbol Library
tab  choose HVAC. The blocks in this drawing are loaded into
DesignCenter.
From DesignCenter, select (e.g. select the 3-Way Valve) & drag the
blocks needed into the current drawing.
Close DesignCenter.
Click the Valve  right-click the gripchoose Rotate  type 90 at the
command line to rotate it 90-degrees  drag it to specify its position 
Esc. Use the Properties window to scale as required.

10.1.6 DESIGN CENTRE OPTIONS

Buttons from Left to Right:
 Desktop: Makes the left window display the regular Windows
Explorer-type file tree that can include drive, folder, subfolders, drawing
files, and object types.

 Open Drawings: Displays a list of currently open drawings, and

will show object types.

 History: Displays a list of the last few drawings that were opened,
along with their path. In History mode, the viewing palette window on the
right is temporarily closed. To redisplay the palette, double-click one of
the displayed in Tree View.

 Tree View Toggle: Opens or shuts the left window, and controls
the visibility of the previous three buttons. You can toggle it off
temporarily in order to give the content pane more room.

 Load: Opens a file selection dialog box where you can navigate to a
drawing whose contents you wish to view or use.
Rather than use Load, you can drag a drawing file from Windows
Explorer into the DesignCentre window. However, the Desktop view
must be displayed in the tree view pane and you must drop the DWG
filename in the palette or tree view pane. If these conditions aren't met,
AutoCAD opens the drawing in the drawing window rather than in
DesignCentre.
 163

 Find: It allows you to locate files and source objects within files by
entering search criteria: by type, by date modified, or by specific text.

 Up: In the left window, moves up one level in the hierarchy from the
highlighted item; for example, from a symbol table to the drawing that
contains it, or from a drawing to the folder that contains it.

 Views: This drop-down list changes the Content pane display style
among Large icons, Small icons, List, and Detail. Each click on the
button toggles from one view to another.

 Favorites: Displays the list of favorite files and folders that you have
previously set up.
The Load and Find buttons provide 2 ways to locate folders and files that
you want to load into DesignCentre’s navigation pane. If you find you’re
repeatedly returning to the same folders or drawings, you’ll probably
want to add them to your list of DesignCenter favorites. Accessing your
favorites requires a bit of shuffling between the left and right panes. Click
the Favorites button to display a list of shortcuts in the content pane and
then double-click one of the shortcuts to load what it points to into the
navigation pane.
AutoCAD 2002 comes with one DesignCentre favorites shortcut, which
points to the folder \Program Files\AutoCAD 2002\ Sample\
DesignCenter. The sample drawings in this folder demonstrate how you
can build drawings that serve as block libraries and then search the
shelves with DesignCenter.
When you come upon a file or folder that you want to add to your
DesignCenter favorites, simply right-click on it and choose Add to
Favorites. This procedure adds another shortcut to your list of favorites.
Another right-click menu choice, Organize Favorites, opens a Window
Explorer window containing the shortcuts so that you can delete or add
shortcuts in your Favorites folder.

10.2 DRAGGING and DROPPING Between Two

Open Drawings
1. Open the source drawing. Click the New button on the Standard
toolbar. Click Start From Scratch (or use a template). Click O.K.
2. Choose Windows  Tile Vertically.
 164

The new Drawing1 appears alongside the source drawing and, at this
time, should be the active one (as indicated by title bar having dark blue
colour, while the other drawing has its title bar grayed out).
3. Format  Units, and change settings if necessary.
4. Click the source drawing to make it the active drawing.
5. Zoom to Extents, and then zoom out as necessary.
6. Use the Layer Control drop-down list to turn off layers not required for
transferring.
7. Form a selection window for coping objects. Grips will appear.
8. Place the cursor on one of the lines where there are no grips, left-click
and hold, then drag the cursor across onto the destination drawing and
release the mouse button.
Open the Layer Property Manager and note that Drawing1 now has the
new layers.
Note: If you use the right-click mouse button to make the drag, you get a
few options as to how to place the objects in the receiving drawing.

10.3 COPY- and –PASTE Method

(a) Copying Objects from One File into Another
1. File  Open  locate and open the source file.
2. Window  Tile Vertically  click on the title bar of the source file
to make it active.
3. Edit  Copy
4. Use a window selection to select objects  .
5. Click on the title bar of the destination file to make it active.
6. Edit  Paste. The default insertion point is the bottom left corner.
To Copy Objects and Paste them as Blocks:
(i) Turn off layers not required for copying.
(ii) In step 3 above: Edit  Copy with Base point  click a point on
the object to specify the base point.
(iii) In step 6: Edit  Paste as Block  click a point for insertion.
To Scale the Object:
1. Modify  Scale
2. Click on the block   click on the insertion point to specify base
point and type a scale (say 1.5) 
NOTE: When the object is inserted as a block, it is assigned a default
name. Use the List (F2) to find the assigned name, and then use Rename
to give it a proper name.
 165

10.4 WBLOCKING and INSERTING

Refer chapter on Blocks.
 166

11. ISOMETRIC DRAWING

THE 30 / 60 2-D DRAWING
 167

11. ISOMETRIC DRAWING

THE 30 / 60 2-D DRAWING

To execute a drawing in isometric mode, select first the Isometric style,

and then select the Isoplane that you will work on.
Isometric mode has 3-planes, and you must toggle from one plane to
another by pressing F5 (or, Ctrl + E). The crosshair will move and
acquire the orientation of the active plane.

Tools  Drafting Settings  activate the Isometric Snap radio button

(on the Snap & Grid tab). Ensure that Grid ON is ticked.
To Draw an Isometric Shape
To draw the shape shown above:
• Ensure that the SNAP button on the Status bar is active.
• Press F5 until the Left-Isoplane is current. The crosshair will
follow the lines of the Left-Isoplane.
• Draw the shape.
• Switch to the Right-Isoplane (by pressing F5), and draw the shape.
• Do the same for the Top-Isoplane.
• To draw a circle in Isometric mode, you must use the Ellipse
command and select Isocircle option, (which is available in
Isometric mode only).
• Select the Isoplane you want to place the circle on, and issue the
Isocircle command. The prompt in the command line is “Specify
axis endpoint of ellipse or [Arc/Centre/Isocircle]”. Right-click and
select Isocircle. Select for the location of the center of the circle.
Specify for the radius (or diameter).

ISOMETRIC DRAWING IN 3-VIEWPORTS

Setting up 3-viewports with a different Isoplane active in each port can
speed up the isometric drawing process considerably. You simply click in
the Viewport to work on the Isoplane it displays. You should save the
Viewport configuration.
Setting up the Viewport:
 168

0 Start a new drawing, or open an existing one.

1 View  Viewports  New Viewports.
2 In the displayed Viewports dialog box, the Active Model
Configuration (within the list of Standard Viewports) shows a single
Viewport as the current setup. “ Above & Below” options refer to which
Viewport will be the largest. Select “Three: Above”. The Preview screen
will divide into 3 tiled Viewports, each on showing the same view of the
drawing. (You can not have a different drawing in each Viewport). Click
O.K.
3 Move the crosshair from one Viewport to another. Click in a
Viewport to make it active, and the arrow-cursor will change in it to
crosshair. You can now draw and edit in this Viewport. Note that each
Viewport can have a different setting for the ZOOM level.
4 Now, a different Isoplane can be assigned to each Viewport. Make
the top Viewport current and press F5 until it is assigned the “top”
Isoplane. Make the left Viewport current and press F5 until it is assigned
the “left” Isoplane. Carry out the same procedure for the right Isoplane.
To Save the Tiled Viewports Configuration:
1. View  Viewports  New Viewports.
2. Highlight “Active Model Configuration”.
3. Type in a name in the New Name input box.
4. Click O.K.
To Restore this Named Viewport:
View  Viewports  Named Viewports  click on the name given
to the Viewport to restore it.
NOTES:
To return to a single Viewport, View  Single Viewport.
 Commands (like drawing a line) can be started in one Viewport and
continued in another Viewport after making it active.

TEXT ON ISOMETRIC DRAWINGS

Text placed on an isometric drawing with a rotation angle of zero (0), will
be horizontal.
To run text parallel to the BOTTOM of an Isoplane, the rotation angle
must be:
• +/- 30 for the top Isoplane text.
• - 30 for the left Isoplane text.
• + 30 for the right Isoplane text.
 169

12. CREATING A BORDER & TITLE BLOCK

IN MODEL SPACE

ISO AO 841 x 1189 mm

ISO A1 594 x 841 mm AO sheet folded in half
ISO A2 420 x 594 mm A1 sheet folded in half
ISO A3 297 x 420 mm A2 sheet folded in half
ISO A4 210 x 297 mm A3 sheet folded in half
 170

12. CREATING A BORDER & TITLE BLOCK

IN MODEL SPACE
(Assume: A4 paper, 1:100 Scale)

Title blocks are usually drawn in a separate DWG file using plotted units
and rather inserted or Xrefed into each drawing sheet.
 Creating the Border:
Set the drawing Limits to the printable area for HP 920c printer (281,
201) multiplied by the scale factor.
1. Create a new layer; call it TB(A4)-MS
2. Start the Rectangle command  Type 0,0  . Type: 28100,20100 
.
3. Offset the rectangle 100mm to the inside from the edge of the paper to
draw the border.
4. Click the border (i.e. the inside rectangle) and then click Properties
button to bring up the Properties window Change Global Width in the
list of Geometry settings from 0 to 80mm (the actual size is 0.8mm x 100,
the scale factor)  Close  Esc. (Note that the original 0-width line will
be the outer edge of the 80mm polyline.
5. To have a good look, zoom to Extents then zoom out a little bit to fill
the screen.
6. Erase the sheet border.

To move the rectangle over to fit inside it an existing drawing:

• Use Realtime Zoom command to zoom out until the entire
rectangle is visible in the drawing area.
• Click the rectangle  Click the lower left grip  Press the
spacebar once  Move the rectangle over to fit the drawing inside
it.

Click the Grip to Activate  STRETCH Command 

MIRROR◄▬SCALE◄▬ROTATE ◄▬ MOVE◄▬

• When the rectangle is positioned around the drawing, click and

then press Esc to turn off the grips.

 Creating the Title Block:

 171

1. Set Endpoint and Perpendicular OSNAPs running, and zoom to the

lower part of the drawing.
2. Pick the Polyline icon on the Draw toolbar (or, Draw  Pline).
3. Click POLAR to turn Polar Tracking on  select the Temporary
Tracking Point OSNAP  click the lower-left corner of the border and
hold cursor directly above that point. When the vertical tracking path
appears along the left boundary line, type 5000  . This starts a polyline
on the left side of the border 5000mm above the lower-left corner.
4. In the command window, the middle line tells you the current width
set for polylines; while the bottom one displays the options for the Pline
command, with the default option being to pick a second point. You need
to set the line width.
Type: w   type: 80   .
5. Hold the crosshair cursor on the right-side of the border. When the
perpendicular icon appears on the border line, click. Press Enter. The first
polyline is drawn.
6. Restart the Pline command (by pressing ENTER). Choose the
Midpoint OSNAP and start a new segment at the midpoint of the line you
just drew.
7. Move to the bottom of the border near its midpoint. When the running
Perpendicular OSNAP is activated, click. The left edge of the title block
is drawn. Press Enter to end the Pline command.
8. Trim the left half of the first Pline drawn back to the Pline just drawn.
9. Offset the horizontal Pline down 1800mm  offset this new line down
1000mm  offset this new line 750mm  and offset by 700mm
10. Start the Pline command  place the cursor at the left-end point of
the 4th horizontal line, and click after acquiring the point. Move the cursor
to the right to see the Temporary Tracking Alignment and type 4600  to
start a Pline at that point. Move the cursor down and click when
Perpendicular OSNAP marker is seen. Again, choose Pline  move the
cursor to the beginning of the last Pline drawn to acquire the Endpoint
OSNAP  click and move the cursor to the right. When the ToolTip is
displayed for horizontal tracking, type 4600  .
11. Where lines don’t intersect in a clean corner: Zoom Window into
the corner of the title block  type pe  to start Pline Edit command
and select one of the 2 lines by placing the pickbox on the edge of one of
corner lines type: j (for Join)   select the other Pline  . Press
ENTER to end the Pedit command.

 Putting Text in the Title Block

 172

1. Format  Text Style.

2. Click New  type: TB-Label  O.K.  Set the font to romans-shx
 Set the height to 200mm  click Apply & Close.
NOTE: If you press Enter after changing the height, the Apply button
ghosts out. Pressing Enter at this point has the same effect as clicking the
Apply button.
3. Type dt  to start the Dtext command (or Draw  Text  Single-
Line Text)  click Snap to None (to cancel all running OSNAP for the
next pick)  pick a point in the upper-left corner of the upper box of the
title block.
4. Press  at the rotation prompt  type: PROJECT:   .
PROJECT is now placed in the upper box.
If necessary, move this text to the upper-left corner as far as possible. It
will help if POLAR and OSNAP are temporarily turned off. Zoom in to
fine-tune the location.
5. Use the Copy command to copy this text to the bottom boxes, using
the Multiple option and the end point of the horizontal lines above each
of the boxes as the base and displacement points. [COPY command 
Select the text   Type m   Click Endpoint to specify it as the
Base point. The text PROJECT is now attached to the cursor  Click in
the remaining boxes when Endpoint (or Intersection, where applicable)
marker appears. Press ENTER to end copying the text].
Now, to change the text to the appropriate label:
6. Type: ED  to start Ddedit command  click the second upper copy
of text. The Edit Text box appears.
7. Type: CONSULTANT:  O.K. (the previous text is replaced by the
new text) pick the next copy of text. The Edit Text dialog box returns.
Type: CONTRACTOR:  O.K. Do likewise for the rest.
8. Press  to end text editing.
If you need to create a new text style for a box:
9. Format  Text Style  New.
10. Type the text click O.K.  Set the font, for example, to romand-
shx  change the height to 375mm  click Apply  Close.
You can use the Properties window to change text height after selecting
it.
To Centre the Text Horizontally in the Box:
You need to break the horizontal line running across the top of this box at
the upper-left corner of the box.
0 Click the Break button on the Modify toolbar, then select the line to
break at a point where no other lines are touching it.
 173

1 Type: f  to select the first point of the Break. Then use the
running OSNAP to pick the upper-left corner of the box.
2 At the “Enter second Break point” prompt, type: @  . This forces
the second point to coincide with the first point, and the line is broken
without leaving a gap.
3 Type dt   type: j (for Justify) type: tc  (for Top Center)
 select Midpoint OSNAP and pick the midpoint on the line across the
top of the box.
4 Press  at the rotation prompt. Type the text  .
5 With Polar Tracking on, use the Move command to move the text
down and centre it vertically in the box. Remember, when you select the
text to move it, you have to pick each line separately.
NOTES:
You will have to adjust the height for each text style to fit in its box.
You will have to set up a new style for each New font or height unless
you set up a style with a height of 0.0. In this case, you will be prompted
for the height each time you start to place text in the drawing.
 174

13. PAPER SPACE

13.1 Introduction
13.2 Creating a Layout
13.2.1 from Scratch
13.2.2 from Wizard
13.2.3 Using Quick Wizard
13.2.4 Using AutoCAD2002 Layout Wizard
13.2.5 Using the DesignCenter
13.3 Page Set Up
13.4 Switching between Model space & Layout
13.5 Working with Paperspace
13.5.1 Scaling the Drawing
13.5.2 Zooming in Layout
13.6 Creating & Modifying Viewports
13.7 Creating Title Blocks on Layout tab
 175

13. PAPER SPACE

13.1 INTRODUCTION
When you create and ultimately print a drawing, you generally proceed
through the following steps:

Create the drawing in Model space.

Activate a Paperspace Layout.
Specify the page settings, such as the plotting device, paper size and
orientation, and plot scale.
Add a border and title block on the Layout. You may use the
DesignCentrer to import them from existing drawing files.
Create floating Viewport(s) and position them on the Layout to fit within
the sheet margins and display the objects that you want to view. Layers
can be used to control which objects appear in each Viewport.
Set the scale of each floating Viewport.
Add any other necessary objects and annotation in the Layout.
After you lay out and scale the views, you dimension the objects directly
on the layout.
Plot the Layout. Assign plot styles to layers and objects to control how
the objects are plotted. E.g. you may want to change the screening value
of a plot style in a Layout to reduce the emphasis of certain background
objects (like making the logo to appear faint).

Model space: is where your project drawing work is performed.

Here, drawings (called the models) are created at real world size (1:1) and
can only plot at the one selected plot scale (drawing scale). You can work
in only one of the tiled Viewport (i.e., not floating), which have their
edges touching, and can print only the current Viewport.
After creating design geometry in Model space, you choose a layout tab
to switch to a drawing sheet in Paperspace.
The Model tab is where your Model space drawing is created and edited,
and cannot be renamed or deleted.

Paperspace: is a separate space for composing a printed version of your

drawing. In Paperspace layout, you can create and plot 2 or 3 floating
Viewport(s) (which are special windows through which you will view
your Model space project drawing) and arrange them on the Layout in a
similar way you arrange details drawing or orthogonal views on a single
 176

sheet of paper, complete with a border and title block, without affecting
the model itself. Each Viewport can display a different view of the same
drawing at a different scale, and each is treated as a separate object that
you can move, copy or delete. Each one of these plottable views is called
a Layout. Paperspace can be accessed through the Layout1 and Layout2
tabs at the bottom of the drawing screen.

Layouts: You use Layouts to create the drawing sheets on which your
designs are plotted. In the layout, you create one or more floating
Viewports, each of which contains a view of your model space geometry.
You can create multiple drawing sheets in a single drawing using
multiple layouts. Each layout represents an individual sheet of paper,
where you can add a border, title block and Viewports to specify the
appearance of a plotted drawing.
You can copy layouts from one drawing file to other drawings to reduce
setup time, or you can create layouts in drawing template files to ensure
compliance with office standards.
Many drawings require only one Paperspace layout, e.g., plotting the
same view of the model on the same paper size. Additional Paperspace
layouts are required if you want to plot your model in different ways, e.g.,
at different scales, with different layers visible, with different areas
visible or with different plotted lines.
Note: it is still possible to ignore Paperspace Layouts entirely and do all
your drawing and plotting in Model space.

13.2 CREATING A LAYOUT

Layouts can be created, imported from a template, deleted, renamed,
moved, copied (from a drawing template file, or by using DesignCenter
to copy a layout from any other drawing), set up, or plotted from the
shortcut menu of right-clicking a Layout tab. There are 3 methods for
creating Layouts:
From Scratch.
From Template.
With Wizards.
When you select a Layout tab for the first time, AutoCAD automatically
prompts for a Page Setup to apply to the Layout and to create a single
Viewport. You can return to the Page Setup dialog box at any time to
modify the Layout settings.
You may wish to disable this feature and do page setup at a later stage.
To disable these features:
 177

Tools  Options  Display tab clear the Show Page Setup, and then
clear Create Viewport in New Layout  click Apply  click O.K.

13.2.1 Creating a Layout from Scratch & Save as a

Template.

Start a new drawing from Scratch. AutoCAD automatically creates a

single Model tab and 2 Layout tabs in the new drawing. You can create
more Layouts to allow you to easily assemble the paper sheets you use to
plot your drawing.
Move the cursor over Layout2 tab and right-click, and then select New
Layout from the shortcut menu. AutoCAD creates a new Layout,
automatically naming it Layout3.
Repeat step 2 to create as many Layouts as necessary.
Move the cursor over Layout3 tab, right-click, and then choose Rename.
Give a descriptive name to the Layout, such as A3-2Views or DETAILS.
Click O.K. Repeat the same for the other tabs.
To delete the 2 original Layout tabs supplied by AutoCAD, hold down
the SHIFT key, select Layout1 and Layout2 tabs, right-click over either
of the highlighted tabs and select Delete.
Click O.K. to the warning that the selected Layouts will be deleted
permanently.
You can identify drawing scale, paper size, and specific title block.
Now, to save it as a Template:
File  Save As  choose AutoCAD Drawing Template File (*.dwt) in
the Save As Type drop-down list.
10. In the Template Description dialog box, type a description such as
“Project Layout”, set units to metric, and click O.K.
Now, to insert a new Layout from a template:
11. File New New drawing from Scratch Right-click over Layout2
 select From Template  click your template  click Open  select
Layout(s) in the Insert Layout(s) dialog box  click O.K.
A new layout tab named “Project Layout” is displayed with the title block
being inserted in the new layout.

13.2.2 Creating Paperspace Layout With Wizards

1. Tools  Wizards Create Layout  .
2. Give the new Layout a name, for example, A4 Size Sheet  click
Next
 178

3. Choose the default printer Next

4. Choose a paper size and units (mm)  Next
5. Specify the orientation of the drawing on the paper (as shown by the
icon A) Next
6. Select a title block (from the options in the Create Layout Wizard) or
None (if you don’t like any of the supplied title blocks. You can insert,
draw, or Xref a title block.. If you choose a title block (which fits your
paper size), specify whether to be inserted as a Block (preferable) or
attach it as an Xref. Attaching title block as an Xref is a good practice if
your title block DWG file is in the same folder as the current drawing that
you’re working on. The Create Layout Wizard’s title blocks live in the
Template folder that is stored with AutoCAD program files, which should
not be where you keep your project files. Thus, Block is a safer choice.
 Next
7. Define the arrangement of Viewports that AutoCAD should create, and
the Paperspace to Model space scale for all Viewports. A Paperspace
Layout Viewport is a window into Model space. You must create at least
one Viewport in order to display the model in your new Layout. In 2D
drawings you need a Single Viewport, but in 3D models you may need
multiple Viewports to show the 3D model from a different perspective.
The default Viewport scale, Scaled to Fit, displays all your model
drawing in the Viewport, but in an arbitrary scale factor.
 Next.
8. Click Select Location button to specify the location of the Viewport(s)
on the paper. Pick 2 points of the preliminary Layout with any title block
that you’ve chosen as displayed by the Create Layout Wizard, to define a
rectangle that falls within the drawing area of your title block (or within
the plottable area of the sheet). AutoCAD represents the plottable area of
the sheet with a dashed rectangle near the edge of the sheet. If you don’t
select a location for the Viewport(s), the Create Layout Wizard creates a
Viewport that fills the plottable area of the sheet.
9.  Next  Finish.

13.2.3 Using Quick Wizard

(Assume A3 paper, @ 100 scale factor)

 Type Limit size: 42000mm * 29700mm

 Zoom  All and get the Grid to 1000
Create 2 layers named: TEXT and DRAINAGE
 179

 Create a simple drawing (to illustrate Paperspace settings), and place

the text on the TEXT layer and the dashed lines (symbolizing pipe run)
on the DRAINAGE layer. The remaining objects on the drawing should
be on layer 0.
After deciding on the printer to be used (for other than default) and the
size of the paper to plot on, use the default Layout1 to plot the drawing on
an A3 page at 1:100 scale.
 Open your drawing in Model Space, and then click on the Layout1 tab.
In the Page Setup-Layout1 dialog box, select your printer, paper size,
ensure Layout radio button is ticked, and plot scale is 1:1.
 Click O.K. The resulting one Viewport Paperspace Layout shows:
• A3 paper dashed border line.
• Inside it, is a continuous line for the border of the default single
Viewport showing the complete drawing. This can be changed
later.
• The UCS icon is replaced by the Paperspace icon.
• MODEL/PAPER button on the Status bar is now on PAPER mode.
• You are unable to edit the drawing.
You can return to Model space within this Viewport by clicking the
PAPER button again. This results in:
0 UCS icon appears in the Viewport surrounded by a heavy border to
indicate that it is current.
1 You can edit the drawing.
2 The cursor is restricted to move only within the Viewport.

13.2.4 Using AutoCAD2002 Create Layout Wizard

0 Tools  Wizard  Create Layout (or from the Insert menu 
Layout Layout Wizard).
1 Give a new Layout name, e.g. A3 size sheet.
2 Choose a printer to use when plotting this Layout  Click O.K.
(Select default. You can create page setups that plot the same Layout on
different plotters).
3 Choose a paper size and units  click Next.
4 Specify the orientation of the drawing on the paper  click Next.
5 Select a title block and specify whether AutoCAD should insert it
as a Block (preferable) or attaching it as an Xref. You should select a title
block that matches the paper size. If you don’t want to include a title
block from the displayed list, choose None  click Next.
[NOTE: Any custom title block drawings you create and save will
appear in the displayed list of Title Blocks stored in AutoCAD’s
Template directory. Attaching a title block as an Xref is a good
 180

practice if your title block DWG file is in the same folder as the
current drawing that you’re working on].
6 Define the arrangement of Viewports that AutoCAD should create,
and the Paperspace to Model space scale for all Viewports. For most 2D
drawings, a Single Viewport is all you need. (To add 4 standard
engineering views consisting of the top, front, right-side, and isometric
views of a 3D object, select Std 3D Engineering Views). The default
Viewport scale, Scaled To Fit, ensures that all of your model drawing
displays in the Viewport but results in an arbitrary scale factor. Click
Next to position the Viewport.
7 Specify the location of the Viewport(s) on the paper by picking its
corners. After you click the Select Location button, a preliminary layout
with any title block that you’re chosen is displayed. Pick 2 points to
define a rectangle that falls within the drawing area of your title block (or
within the plottable area of the sheet, if no title block is chosen). The
plottable area is represented by a dashed rectangle near the edge of the
sheet. If you don’t select a location for the Viewport(s), the Wizard
creates a Viewport that fills the plottable area of the sheet.
8 Click Finish.

13.2.5 Inserting a Layout Using AutoCAD DesignCenter

When you use DesignCenter to insert a Layout, all unused information
will be ignored, thus eliminating the need to use Purge command. To use
DesignCenter to insert Layout from an existing drawing into a current
drawing, you must first use the Tree View to navigate to the drawing.
You can use any of the following methods to insert a Layout into the
current drawing:
0 Select Layout(s) from the palette, right-click, and choose Add
Layout(s).
1 Select Layout(s) from the palette, use drag-and-drop into the
current drawing.
2 Double-click a Layout in the palette.
3 Same as first choice, but choose Copy. Then switch to the drawing
you want to insert the Layout.

13.3 PAGE SETUP to DEFINE LAYOUT1

1. Click the Layout1 tab. The Page Setup-layout1 display box comes
up if you haven’t disabled this feature (refer section Creating a
Layout). If you’ve turned this feature off, then right-click the
Layout tab and choose Page Setup. It has 2 tabs:
(a) Plot device tab.
(b) Layout Settings tab to fit the drawing on the printed page.
 181

Select paper size and units, and make note of the printable area.
Select drawing orientation: Portrait (down the page), Landscape (across
the page) or Inverted.
Plot options: EXTENTS option will plot the Paperspace, without the
shadow that appears in the background. DISPLAY option will print the
current screen with the blank area around the drawing (which only
suitable for Landscape orientation).
Ensure plot is set to Layout.
Plot scale is typically 1:1 for Layouts.
Scale Lineweight check box will use the specified lineweight value
proportionally scaled to the plot scale factor. E.g. if the object’s
lineweight is set to 2.0mm and the plot scale is 1:2, marking the Scale
Lineweight will re-scale the object’s lineweight to 1.0mm instead of
2.0mm.
Use the Center in the Plot Offset area only if you want to have the plotted
objects centered on the sheet.
In the Page setup Name area, click Add (to add this Layout to your list of
standard Layouts, and hence reduce setup time). Then, in the Defined
Page Setups dialog box, type for example “Project Name”.
Click O.K. the settings are now named and saved in the current drawing,
and can be recalled by selecting it from the Page Setup Name list. Note
that you can insert named page setups from other drawings by clicking
Import in the User Defined Page Setups dialog box.
2. Click O.K. to close the Page Setup-Layout1 dialog box. AutoCAD
automatically creates a floating Viewport in the Layout containing
the same view of the Model space.

13.4 SWITCHING BETWEEN MODEL SPACE

AND A LAYOUT
The Resulting Two Views of the Same Drawing

After creating a Paperspace layout, you have 2 views of the same

drawing geometry: the view on the original Model tab, and the new
Layout tab view. Because all tabs display the model space objects,
changes to the model geometry on one tab will change it on all tabs.
When you click a Layout tab to make it active, this is referred to as being
in Paperspace.
When the Model tab is active, it is referred to as Model space.

You can move the cursor between and Model space and Paperspace as
follows:
 182

1. Click a Layout tab to make its Paperspace current.

2. The PAPER/MODEL button on the Status bar will then control
whether the current Layout or Model space portion of your drawing is
active (i.e. accessible).
• If Model space tab is active, the Status bar always displays the
MODEL button, and you can work on the portion of your drawing
that is visible in the Viewport. Here, it is like opening a window
and reaching through the opening to touch the drawing behind the
window.
Double-click outside the sheet (in the gray area) will move the cursor
into Paperspace (the MODEL button changes to PAPER). Here, anything
you draw appears only on that Paperspace layout tab. It is though you
were drawing on an acetate sheet over the top of plotter paper; the model
beneath remains unaffected.
• Switch back to the Paperspace by clicking the MODEL button to
change to PAPER. The last current Layout becomes active.
Double-click over a Viewport to move the cursor into model space in that
Viewport. Here, anything you draw or edit changes the model and
appears on the Model tab and all Paperspace layout tabs, assuming that
the given Paperspace layout displays that part of the model.

■ To edit the model, switch to the Model tab first (i.e. the Model
space).
■ To edit a particular plot Layout without affecting the model, switch
to that Layout’s tab and make sure the cursor is in Paperspace.
Double-click any floating Viewport to make it current, and modify
objects to affect only that particular Viewport.
■ If the Viewport does not show the region of the drawing you want
displayed, use Pan in MODEL Status (by single click on PAPER
button). Pan does not affect the scale.
When making changes to the drawing (the model):
(a) Major changes: move the cursor to Model space by clicking the
Model tab. This will temporary disable the Layout and make it invisible.
(b) Minor changes: switch to the Model space while the Layout tab is
active (visible) by clicking PAPER button. The lines of the crosshair
extend only to the edge of the Viewport where editing can be made.

13.5 WORKING WITH PAPERSPACE

13.5.1 Scaling the Drawing

 183

When a default Layout is displayed for the first time, the complete
drawing is always displayed to fit in the Viewport. You will need to
set the scale for the drawing before it is plotted.
When working in Model space, you draw objects full size, and when
you plot a Layout (which represents an actual sheet of paper) you
typically plot at 1:1 scale. Therefore, the contents of the floating
Viewports within your Layout need to be scaled to fit on your paper.
This is similar to drawing to a particular scale when you draw on an
actual sheet of paper.
Changing the size of the Viewport by scaling or stretching its border
does not affect the scale of objects within that Viewport. To change
the scale of the objects within the Viewport, you must scale the
contents of that Viewport relative to Paperspace units (the XP option
of the Zoom command), or better, by using either the Properties dialog
box or the Viewport toolbar (right-click any toolbar and choose
Viewports).

Method 1: Using Grips While in Paperspace

(i) With the PAPER button on the Status bar current, click on the
border of the Viewport to highlight it.
(ii) Right-click the grips and select Properties from the floating menu.
(iii) Click the down-arrow beside the Standard scale, and select 1:100
for the scale.
NOTE: If the Viewport doesn’t show the region of the drawing you
want displayed, Pan to reposition it, as Pan doesn’t affect the scale,
but only after ensuring that MODEL/PAPER is displaying MODEL.

Method 2: Using the Properties Window

Double-click outside the Viewport to return to Paperspace.
Select the edge of the Viewport.
In the Properties Window, select Standard Scale, and then choose the
scale from the list.

Method 3: While in Paperspace Model view

(i) Ensure that the Layout tab has been selected and that MODEL is
selected on the Status bar.
(ii) The Viewport will now display the UCS icon surrounded by heavy
border. Zoom in on the area of the drawing that interests you.
(iii) One of the options in the Zoom command is XP which means
“times paper”. To set the drawing at 1:100 scale, type 1/100xp  .
The drawing is now displayed at 1:100. Use Panning to position the
drawing, if necessary.
 184

13.5.2 Zooming In Layout

While in Paperspace, zooming and panning the drawing affects the entire
Paperspace. Clicking within a Viewport to make it current and then
zooming or panning in the current Viewport, will affect only that
Viewport. You can then use the Properties window to specify the exact
scale of the view in each Viewport.
To adjust the view in the Layout Viewport:
Click the layout tab.
In the drawing area, double-click inside the layout Viewport to access
Model space.
In the layout Viewport, Right-click  Zoom  Right-click  Zoom
Extents  Esc
If you use ZOOM command while working in Model space within the
floating Viewport, you immediately change the scale factor for this
Viewport. To prevent this, you can lock the scale by using either the
Properties window or the right-click shortcut menu (after selecting the
border of the Viewport):
1. Display the Properties Window.
2. Select the Viewport whose scale you want to lock.
3. In the Properties window, select Display Locked to make it active,
and then choose Yes from the drop-down list.
If you try to zoom within one of the locked Viewport s, AutoCAD
temporarily switches to Paperspace, and any zooming performed in the
locked Viewport actually affects the entire Layout.

EXERCISE:
(ZOOMING & PANNING IN LAYOUT)
This exercise is to demonstrate the difference between zooming
in Paperspace and Model space Viewports. In real drawings
you shouldn’t zoom and pan inside Viewports after they have
been setup since this will change the scale of the Viewport.

1. Open a drawing that contains at least one Paperspace Layout with a

title block and Viewport(s). [You may try AutoCAD Sample folder,
c:\Program File\AutoCAD 2002\Sample, and pick a drawing].
2. Click one of the Layout tabs. AutoCAD displays the Paperspace
Layout for that tab, including any title block and Viewports.
3. Click the PAPER/MODEL button to say PAPER. Alternatively,
double-click in the gray part of the drawing area outside of the layout.
 185

The cursor is now in Paperspace, so zooming and panning changes the

display of all objects in the Layout, including the title block.
4. Choose View  Zoom  All. This displays the entire Layout.
5. Zoom and pan, and notice that the effect is as if moving a plotted sheet
around, including the title block.
6. Choose View  Zoom  All. This re-displays the entire Layout.
7. Click the PAPER/MODEL button to MODEL. Alternatively, double-
click with the cursor over a Viewport. The cursor is now in Model space,
inside the Viewport, so zooming and panning changes only the display of
the objects that are visible in the Viewport. The display of the title block
doesn’t change.
8. Zoom and pan, and notice that the appearance of the title block doesn’t
change. The effect is as if moving a picture of the Model space geometry
behind a frame.
9. Choose View  Zoom  Previous as many time until you’ve
restored the original view.
10. Click the PAPER/MODEL button to PAPER. Always leave the
cursor in Paperspace when you’ve finished.
11. File  Close  No to Save.
WARNING: If you ever need to zoom in Paperspace, make sure
PAPER/MODEL button is set to PAPER.

13.6 CREATING and MODIFYING PAPERSPACE

VIEWPORTS
When you first activate a Layout, AutoCAD creates a single floating
Viewport within that Layout. When you use the Create Layout Wizard,
AutoCAD can create up to 4 floating Viewports, which can be moved or
resized.
Sometimes it is more convenient to create floating Viewports manually.
Floating Viewports are objects that provide you with a window into
Model space. You can separately control the view, scale, contents of each
floating Viewport, and whether to be overlapping or separate from each
other. In addition, you can specify that individual layers in specific
Viewports.
If you create a single Viewport, you can make it fill the entire printable
area, or determine its size by specifying the opposite corners. When you
create several Viewports at one time, you specify the opposite corners of
a rectangle area and then AutoCAD automatically arranges the Viewports
within that area.
 186

To modify the Viewports, you must be in Paperspace and the Viewport

borders must be visible. To select a Viewport, click its border. You can
use OSNAP to do that. You can resize a Viewport, erase it and use all
grip editing techniques. When you resize a Viewport, you change only
the size of its borders, not the scale of its components. Any changes that
you make to the Viewport while in Paperspace, including erasing the
Viewport itself, affect only the Viewport, not the objects within the
Viewport.
(a) Copying an Existing Layout
1. Right-click layout tab named DETAILS  select Move or Copy.
2. In the dialog box, select Move To End  Create a Copy.
3. Click O.K.
DETAILS(2) tab is now created.

(b) Deleting a Viewport

 PAPER button on the Status bar is active. Choose Layout tab to
display a previously created drawing sheet.
 Click on the Viewport border to display the grips.
Click Erase command (or press DELETE key). The Viewport, which
displayed design geometry drawn in model space, disappears from the
layout, but not deleted along with the Viewport. To check, click on the
Model tab at the bottom of the Drawing Window.

(c) Creating floating Viewports in a Layout

(Placing Views of Design Geometry in a Layout)
1. View  Viewports  New Viewports
(or Layout or Viewports toolbar  Display Viewports Dialog, or type:
VPORTS ).
2. In the Viewports dialog box, choose from the Standard Viewport
list (e.g. Four : Equal)  specify the spacing (in mm) between the
resulting Viewports (e.g. 10)  choose 2D or 3D.
3. Click O.K. In the drawing area, the prompt now is: “Specify first
corner or <Fit>”, to define the area that the 4 Viewports should
fill.
4. Click 2 points to define the corners of a rectangle which becomes
the Viewports.
Press Enter to accept the default and let Viewports fill the printable
area of the Layout.
 187

5. Double-click in a Viewport to access the Model space, then use

Zoom Window & Pan Realtime to display the required view and
make it centered in this Viewport. Press Esc to exit the command.

(d) Resizing the Viewport

1. PAPER button is active. [Double-clicking anywhere in the drawing
area outside the Viewports will return you to Paper space. Henceforth you
can select: Move & Resize Viewports].
2. Click on the border of the Viewport to display the grips.
3. Click on a grip to activate it (blue will turn red), and use Stretch
command (offered on the command line) to move the grip and, in turn,
resize the Viewport. Note how the drawing stays in the same position on
the screen; this can be used to hide parts of drawing.
4. Press Esc to remove all grips.

(e) Adjusting the View in a New Viewport

0 Double-click inside the new Viewport to access Model space.
1 In the Viewport, right-click  Zoom  right-click  Zoom
Window. Then click 2 points to define window around the area of
interest. You may need to do this more than once.
2 Double-click in the area outside both Viewports to return to
Paperspace.
2
3 (f) Set the Exact Scale in the New Viewport
0 Select the edge of the new layout Viewport.
1 From the Modify menu: Properties  Std Scales  Set the scale to
apply to the Viewports  close the Properties window.

(g) Moving the Viewport

Activate a grip by clicking on it and use Move (offered on the command
line when the space bar is pressed). The drawing moves with the
Viewport so you may have overlapping Viewports.
By selecting and moving grips you can adjust the Viewport to fit the
details. Press Esc to remove the grips.

(h) Controlling the Visibility of Objects in Individual

Viewports:
By clicking ON the lightbulb icon for a layer in the Layer Properties
Manager (e.g. the HTCH layer), the hatch pattern patterns on that layer
will be displayed on all Viewports.
 188

At times, it will be necessary to hide some objects in a selected Viewport,

while allowing them to be visible in another.
When you are working on a layout, and using the Layers Properties
Manager:
• Freeze in Current Viewport option: freezes selected layers
in the current layout tab Viewport without affecting layer visibility
in other Viewports.
• Freeze in New Viewports option: freezes selected layers all
new Viewports, without affecting the visibility of those layers in
already existing Viewports.

EXAMPLES:
(1) Hiding Drainage Dashed Linetype in one Viewport and Leave it
displayed in all others
• The Status bar must display MODEL while in a Layout.
• Make a Viewport current by double-clicking in it to access
model space. Make sure it is the one that holds the linetype that
you want to hide.
• Select the Layers button on the Object Properties toolbar.
• Click on “Show Details” if necessary.
• Click on the DRAINAGE layer.
• In the Details part of the Layer Properties Manager dialog box
place a tick in “Freeze in current Viewport”, and click O.K.
The DRAINAGE line will be invisible in the selected Viewport.

(2) Creating a New Circular Viewport on an Existing Layout Showing

Only Selected Layers
1. Layers button Right-click in the Layer Manager list to
display the shortcut menu  All (for all layers)  Select
NEW  Show Details..  place a tick in the Freeze in
Current Viewport ( to turn off all the layers in any new
Viewport)  O.K.
2. If PAPER button is activated, it will turn you to the last
Layout you worked on. Double-click in the area outside the
Viewports to turn to Paperspace.
3. View menu  Viewports  select 1 Viewport.
4. Instead of clicking 2 points on the Layout to define a
window the size of the new Viewport: draw a circle on a
blank area of the layout  as in step 3 above (or type mv
and choose options)  click on the circle. The circle
becomes a Viewport.
 189

Note that no layers are displayed in the new Viewport.

5. Double-click in the new Viewport to access Model space.
6. Layers button  select all the layers that start with, for
example, MECH (after selecting the first layer, hold down
SHIFT & select the others  Show Details..  Freeze in
Current Viewport  O.K. The objects on the selected layers
are now displayed in the new Viewport.

(i) Adjusting a Viewport

The last step in using the Layout feature before printing is to adjust the
size of the default Viewport to more closely fit into the border.
1. With PAPER button still activated, click the Viewport rectangle to
show grips. Deactivate OSNAP and POLAR temporarily by clicking their
button on the Status bar.
2. Click the upper-right grip move the cursor to a point near the upper-
right corner of the border, but still on the inside Click.
3. Click the lower-left grip  move the cursor to a point near the lower-
left corner of the border  Click  Esc. This makes the Viewport as
large as it can be on the page.
Now to adjust the scale of the drawing to 1:100 and make the
Viewport border invisible:
4. Create a new layer called Vport-L1. Assign it a bright colour such as
purple (to remind you that Viewports are usually designed to be
invisible).
5. Click the Viewport to select it Click Properties button.
6. In the Properties dialog box, Viewport should be in the drop-down list
at the top. In the list of Properties, click Layer. Then open the drop-down
list next to Layer and select Vport-L1.
7. Close Esc. The Viewport is now on the Vport-L1 layer.
8. Click PAPER to move to Model space. Type: z  . Type: 1/100xp 
. The drawing is reset to a scale 1:100.
9. Use Realtime Pan to fit the drawing properly within the new border.
10. Click MODEL to return Paperspace.
11. Click the Viewport to select it. Right-click and select Display
Locked from the shortcut menu. Click “Yes” on the little flyout menu to
place a check mark next to it (if there isn’t one already). This locks the
Viewport at the scale you just set.
12. TB(A4)-L1 should be current. Freeze the Vport-L1 layer. The
drawing looks very much like the original drawing on Model space
 190

before Layout was introduced, but you now have the title block and
border on a Layout at 1:1 scale.

(j) Making Viewport(s) Border(s) in a Layout Invisible

Creating a Border Layer, and calling it TB(A4)-L1.
Viewport borders should be assigned to a separate layer from all other
objects in the drawing. This will allow you to control their visibility.
When you create a floating Viewport, AutoCAD creates the Viewport
border on the current layer. To make the Viewport border invisible, create
a new separate layer for the border(s) before you create floating
Viewports, and then turn off that layer after you create the Viewports (the
objects displayed in the Viewport will still be visible). If you forget, you
can always create a new layer, and change the border objects to that layer.
To select the Viewport borders, you must turn on that layer before you
rearrange or modify the Viewports. You can configure the Viewport
border layer so that it remains visible but doesn’t plot.
1. Click Layers button to display the Layer Properties Manager.
2. Click New. Type: TB(A4)-L1 for the new layer, and assign it a
colour, and click light bulb icon off. Press Enter.
3. Click O.K. to close the dialog box.
4. Click the Properties button to display the Properties window.
5. Click on the border of the Viewport you want to remove to display
its grips and drop onto the layer TB(A4)-L1. In the Properties
window, click Layer to make it active. Then choose TB(A4)-L1 from
the drop-down list.
(In case you kept the layer current in step 2, you can hide the
Viewport now by clicking on the light bulb icon to switch the layer
off. The border(s) will disappear).
6. Click O.K. to the warning that the objects you selected will be
changed to a frozen layer, or one that has been turned off.
7. Close the Properties dialog box.
Your drawing now is displayed without the borders surrounding the
Viewports. But, if you do need to modify the Viewports, e.g. to move
them, you first need to make them visible again by turning on the
TB(A4)-L1 layer.
NOTE:
• You can also use the Properties window to change other
Viewport properties, such as its color, linetype, linetype scale,
plot style, lineweight, and scale, but you must switch to Model
space.
• To change visibility of Viewports:
 191

Display the Properties window  select the Viewport’s border  in

the Properties window, click On to make it active  ON/OFF.

To hide the Viewports borders using the Layer Control:

1. In the drawing area, select all Viewports borders.
2. On the Object Properties toolbar, in the Layer Control, select an
already created layer (e.g. FRAME). This re-assigns the Viewports
to this layer.
3. Press Esc to clear the selection set.
4. Click in the Layer Control again. Click the lightbulb icon of
FRAME to hide this layer. Click outside the Layer Control to close
it.
The Viewports borders are now hidden, but the views are still visible.

13.7 CREATING A BORDER & TITLE BLOCK ON

LAYOUT1 tab

13.7.1 Using AutoCAD Predefined Bordered Sheet With a

Title Block:
Erase the Viewport created automatically by AutoCAD if you don’t need
it. Then:
1. Insert  Block, to display the Insert dialog box.
2. Click Browse and navigate to the AutoCAD2002/Template folder,
select a title block, and then click Open.
3. Clear all 3 Specify On-Screen check boxes and make the insertion
point set to X=1, Y=0, Z=0. Set scale to 1, and rotation to 0.
4. Click O.K. This drawing as a block is inserted into the current layout.
The border for a Layout is drawn at the actual size it will be when it is
printed.
5. Click in the drawing to position the title block within the dashed lines.

13.7.2 Designing a Border & Title block on Layout1 tab

(a) Drawing a Border:
0 Click the MODEL button to move the crosshair to the Layout.
1 Right-click the Layout tab and choose Page Setup. In the Page
Setup dialog box, be sure the Layout Settings tab is active. In the Paper
Size and Paper Units area, note the Printable Area for the current printer
and jot it down. Click O.K.
2 Start the rectangle command. Type 0,0  .Then enter as
coordinates the 2 numbers that define the printable area. For example, the
 192

printable area of A4 paper (297 x 210mm) is 281.32 x 201.53mm. Type

281.32,201.53  . a rectangle will be drawn over the dashed line that
represents the printable area on the Layout.
3 Offset this rectangle 3mm to the inside (Click Offset button on the
Modify toolbar  type: 3  select the rectangle  pick a point inside
the rectangle  ).
4 Erase the outer rectangle: Modify Erase pick the rectangle 
. The dashed lines become visible again.
5 The border should be 0.8mm wide. Click the new rectangle 
activate the Properties window  change the Global Width from 0.0 to
0.8  Close the Properties  click Esc to remove the grips.

(b) Designing a Title Block

We will transfer the title block created earlier in Model space to Layout.
The title block, text, and border that were originally created in Model
space at a scale factor 1:100 can be put in the Layout after scaling them
down by 100 to the actual size and using AutoCAD Cut-and-Paste
method.
In AutoCAD, the objects that are cut or copied can have an insertion
point and can be inserted as a block back into the drawing or into another
drawing.
o Click the model tab to temporarily deactivate Layout1 tab
and return to Model space. Right-click anywhere on the
screen and select Copy with Base Point from the shortcut
menu. Use the Endpoint OSNAP and pick the lower-left
corner of the title block as the base point. Use a regular
selection window (for only objects completely enclosed by
the window, by picking a blank area and move the cursor to
the right), to select the title block and all of its text, but not
the border. Click Enter.
o Remove the border, title block and the outer rectangle
representing the edge of the sheet in the Model space as
follows: Click Layout1 tab, click the PAPER button, and
then Erase the mentioned original objects.
o Click the MODEL button to move the cursor back to
Layout1.
o Right-click the screen and select Paste as Block. Part of the
image of the title block appears in the drawing attached to
the cursor. It is huge, and you can see only the end of one
line. Now, to scale down the title block to 1:1.
 193

o Use the Nearest OSNAP and pick a point anywhere on the

left half of the bottom borderline as the insertion point.
o Start the Scale command on the Modify toolbar. Select the
large polyline by clicking its edge. Press Enter. Move the
cursor to the centre of the bottom edge of the polyline for a
base point. When the Endpoint OSNAP symbol appears
there, click. Then type: 1/100 . The title block is now the
correct size.
o Start the Move command on the Modify toolbar. With
POLAR On, and Endpoint and Perpendicular OSNAPs On,
move the title block to the right until the right end of the top
line in the title block (Endpoint) meets the right side of the
border (Perpendicular).
o Use the Explode command to explode the title block. Then
use the Properties button to move the title block lines and its
text to the TB(A4)-L1 layer. This completes the transfer of
the title block from Model space to Layout1.
o Adjust the size of the default Viewport to more closely fit
into the border. Refer section (i).
 194

14. PLOTTING
14.1 Plotting in Model space & Paperspace
14.1.1 Plotting in Paperspace
14.1.2 Plotting in Model space
14.1.3 Plotting to Scale

14.2 Advanced Plotting Techniques

 195

14.1 PLOTTING IN MODEL SPACE &

PAPERSPACE
■ Open the drawing in AutoCAD.
The tabs at the bottom of the drawing area control which view of the
drawing (model space or Paperspace layout) fills the drawing area. When
a Paperspace layout fills the drawing area, the MODEL/ PAPER button
on the Status bar controls whether drawing and editing takes place in
Paperspace or Model space inside a view.

14.1.1 PLOTTING IN PAPERSPACE:

If you click the Layout tab and the Page Setup dialog box doesn't appear,
but instead you see a view of the drawing, then the drawing has already
Paperspace layout setup.
Click MODEL/PAPER button to PAPER. This ensures plotting the entire
contents of the Paperspace layout, rather than just the model contents of a
particular Viewport. Then proceed for plotting as in Model space, noting
that:
The plot scale is 1 : 1 (since the scaling of the drawing has already been
carried out on the sheet itself). You may select other scales if needed. For
example, to plot a Paperspace Layout half-size, specify a plot scale of 1:
2.
If you have specified Layout as the "Plot area" for a paper size other than
the printer paper size, the problem can be solved by changing the Plot
area from Layout to Extents. Alternatively, use the Page Setup dialog box
to modify the layout settings. The Page Setup dialog box, unlike the Plot
dialog box, lets you save plot settings changes without plotting and
without having to create a page setup name.
Use the Full Preview to see the results of your settings. If the settings are
accurate you will hardly notice that you have entered the Preview mode,
as the Layouts are themselves previews of the drawing.

14.1.2 PLOTTING IN MODEL SPACE

When you start a new drawing file, you work out the drawing limits to
encompass at least the project you want to draw, and you draw using
actual units. When you choose Decimal Unit type in the Wizard, the units
by which you draw can be anything; it is in the mind of the user to think
of it as 4mm, 4cm, 4km, etc. To AutoCAD, this is always 4 units.
Then, when you plot, the drawing scale is set to a particular paper size.
 196

Click the Model space tab to ensure that you're plotting the model space
contents.
14.1.3 PLOTTING TO SCALE USING SPECIFIC
SETTINGS
VIEW ► ZOOM → EXTENTS (to the area that you are going to plot.
File ► PLOT (to open the Plot dialog box).

(i) On Plot Device tab:

▬ Select a Plotter name: the default is the system printer that is used to
print word processing documents.
Non-system printer (ending with pc3) are configured plotters (if
available) used for AutoCAD plots only.
▬ Plot Style (Pen Assignments): choose None (if you don't want to use
Plot Styles).
▬ What to plot: choose Current tab to plot only the currently selected
tab (Model space or Paperspace layout) or ALL drawing editor tabs.

(ii) On Plot Setting tab:

▬ Choose paper size you would like to use (say A4).
▬ Plotting unit is mm.
▬ Choose paper orientation: Portrait or Landscape.
▬ Under "Plot area" select:
Limits: use this option for plotting the Model space if you set the Limits
properly in order to plot the whole drawing area. If the drawing limits
were set larger than the drawing size, the drawing appears smaller on
paper to fit the drawing limits.
Extents: this is the rectangular area containing all the objects in the
drawing. All the drawing is plotted so it fits the paper printable area.
Display: this option will plot the currently displayed drawing window, i.e
what appears on the screen.
View: use this option to plot a named view which you select from the
drop-down list.
Window< button: this option takes you to the drawing area to specify a
rectangular area defined by clicking 2 points.
"View" and "Window" plot options are used to plot just a portion of the
Model space drawing.
▬ Click on the Partial Preview button to cheek that your plot fits on the
paper and is turned in the right direction. The Paper Size appears as white
sheet, the Printable Area as a dashed rectangle, and the Effective Area
(which is the amount of space that your plotted drawing takes up) as a
blue box.
 197

▬ Click on the Full Preview button to display the drawing as it would

appear on the selected paper together with the various plot properties. The
zoom realtime cursor appears. You may use it to zoom in/out on the
drawing to inspect it (without affecting what area of the drawing gets
plotted). Right-click on the drawing to open a context menu and then
choose EXIT to return to the Plot dialog box.

▬ Plotting to Scale:
Choose Extents option, and notice that the Plot Scale is set to < Scale to
Fit >. This option will scale any plot area you select to fit the paper
printable area.
An object drawn at a scale of 1:100 is 100 times smaller on paper than the
actual object size. In this case 1 unit plot on paper [in mm, m, etc] has an
actual size of 100 units.
Click the down-arrow of the Plot Scale to open the list and choose 1 : 10
as the plot scale (if your AutoCAD drawing units are considered to be in
mm).
Plot Scale
1 : 10 ▼
1 mm = 10 Units

This means that the object that measures 1mm on the plotted paper is
equal to 10 AutoCAD drawing units (i.e. 10 mm actual object).
If the unit of AutoCAD drawing was considered to be in cm (= 10mm),
then in this case, for a 1 : 10 plot scale, choose Custom from the Scale
drop-down list, type 10 in the left box (for 10 mm, or 1 cm on paper) and
type 10 in the right box (for 10 AutoCAD unit scale). This is the same as
typing 1 in both boxes.

Plot Scale
CUSTOM ▼
10 mm = 10 Unit
Left Box Right Box

To plot small objects such as bolts, electrical circuits, etc.., that are
drawn using decimal units, with one drg unit = one mm, at a scale of
10:1(i.e. 10 times bigger on paper than the actual size), type in:

10 mm = 1 units
 198

The following table is a quick reference for the numbers to be typed in

the above left- and right-boxes for different scale factors and considered
drawing units:

PLOT SCALE TABLE

Drawings Plot Scale Left Box Right
Units Box
mm 1:1 1 1
mm 1 : 50 1 50
mm 1 : 100 1 100
cm 1:1 10 1
cm 1 : 50 10 50
cm 1 : 100 10 100
m 1:1 1000 1
m 1 : 50 1000 50
m 1 : 100 1000 100

▬ Click on Partial Preview and check that the plot orientation and size
fit the paper, then click O.K. to return to the Plot dialog box.
▬ Click on Full Preview to check that the drawing fits properly on the
drawing. If the drawing is bigger than the selected paper, press Esc to
return to the Plot dialog box, and then increase the number in the right
box of the Plot Scale.
▬ Plot Offset: Make sure the option Center the Plot box is checked to
have the drawing centered in the printable area.
If you don't want to center the plot, clear this check box, and then type
0.00 in the X & Y offset boxes to position the plot at the lower-left corner
of the plottable area. Type values in the X & Y boxes to move the plot on
paper x-units horizontally and y-units vertically. Enter non-zero numbers
to turn on the Center The Plot option.
▬ Save the current settings with the file: click Add under Page Setup
name → type a name in the setup Name box (e.g. A4-Extents) → O.K.
This saves the current plot settings with the file as the default the next
time you plot this drawing.
▬ Click O.K. to plot.
 199

14.2 ADVANCED PLOTTING

(PLOT STYLES)
14.2.1 INTRODUCTION

1. Modify Properties (to change their plot style to ByLayer) →

repeat settings in the Plot dialog box.
However, most drawings created with AutoCAD R14 and earlier versions
will require Color-dependent plot styles in order to plot correctly. Users
had to use pen assignments to control objects' properties such as
lineweight. Since AutoCAD 2000, each layer can be assigned an
additional property, namely lineweight, to eliminate the need to use
colour to control objects' lineweight. Setting up a drawing template that
contains standard layer names assigned custom properties (for
standardization), makes color tables (pen assignments) for lineweight as
redundant.
A Plot Style is a group of settings that is assigned to a layer, colour, or
object. It determines how that layer, colour or object is printed.
Plot Styles are grouped into Plot Style Tables. Each Table is saved as a
single file attached to the drawing file to control its plot characteristic:
either in a Color-dependent mode, or in a Named Plot mode. A drawing
can be associated with a single plot style table which can be changed,
attached, or detached.

14.2.2 CONTROLLING PLOTTED LINEWEIGHTS

WITH SCREEN COLOURS

Common reasons to using Plot Styles are:

1. To map screen colors to plotted lineweights.
To map screen colour to plotted lineweights, you need a Color-dependent
Plot Style Table (ctb file).a chart must be available showing which
plotted lineweight you should assign to each AutoCAD screen colour,
from which you can copy or create the required ctb file.
Plotting object lineweights assumes that the drawing is assigned
lineweights to layers or objects, and that the Plot Object Lineweights
check box in the Plot Settings of the Plot dialog box is turned on. The
check box Plot With Styles directly beneath the above check box may be
turned off because plot styles can override the object lineweights with
different plotted lineweights. You must turn off both check boxes: Plot
 200

Object Lineweights and Plot With Plot Styles if you don't want to plot
the lineweights assigned to objects.

Since AutoCAD 2000, the option to display lineweights on screen to

match what the user can expect to see on the plot was introduced.
To plot the colours that you see on the screen, set the Plot Style Table
(Pen Assignments) in the Plot dialog box to "None". If you don't want to
plot in colour, make sure that you set the Color property for all plot styles
to Black or Monochrome.

2. To create screened lines on monochrome plots.

Screened lines display in various shades of gray rather than in black, and
are used to de-emphasize secondary objects that otherwise would
overwhelm the main objects in the drawing. Screening is expressed as a
percentage, with 100% being completely black and 0% being invisible.

14.2.3 COLOR-DEPENDENT PLOT STYLE TABLES

These Tables are assigned to colors in your drawing and live in Color
TaBle (CTB) files to determine an object plot properties. They map the
255 AutoCAD display colors to 255 plot styles.
In AutoCAD R14 and earlier releases, 255 colours are used to determine
objects plot properties. For example, if you wanted to plot a particular
layer with 0.35mm lineweight, you had to assign them a specific colour
such as Red. When plotting, you had to specify in a pen assignment table
the plotted lineweight for each color, e.g. you would assign 0.35mm
lineweight to the Red colour. When you plot, all red objects, regardless of
which layer they reside on, will be plotted with the lineweight assigned to
the Red colour. Pen assignment tables were saved as files with the
extension pc2 (in release 13 & 14) and pc (in earlier releases).
In AutoCAD 2004, you can import the pen assignment tables into Color-
dependent style table (which is a file with .ctb extension).

14.2.4 NAMED PLOT STYLES

New drawings shall use this type of Plot Styles as they provide a better
and more flexible means of assigning plot properties over Color-
dependent Plot Styles.
A Named Plot Style determines how a drawing is plotted by assigning
layers specific plot properties. For example, in a drawing file you may
assign a particular layer yellow colour to make its lines clearly visible on
a black screen. If you plot this file, or photocopy the plot, the yellow lines
 201

may not appear. A Named Plot Style allows you to choose a blue plot
colour for that specific layer while keeping their screen color yellow.
A layer can be associated with a single Named Plot Style. Other layers
may be associated with the same plot style or other plot style. A group of
plot styles is saved in a single plot style table. A Named Plot Style Table
lives in Style TaBle (.stb extension) file.
A drawing can be associated with a single Named Plot Style Table, which
can be changed. In addition to plot colour specifications, a plot style may
specify plot lineweight, plot line type, etc.
After you've created a named plot style table, you create one or more plot
styles and give them any names you like. Then you can assign the named
plot styles to layers or individual objects. However, you should assign
named plot styles only to layers. "Named" refers to the plot styles, and
not to the tables.
14.2.5 Examining the Plot Style Tables

To see a Plot Style Table is organized, in AutoCAD:

File ► Plot Style Manager → double-click acad.ctb (Color-dependent
Plot Style Table file) and examine the 3 tabs in the Plot Table Editor →
close it and open monochrome.ctb Plot Style Table, and notice in the
Table View tab that all plot styles have the colour Black assigned (to
print only in black, but won't change the colour in the drawing file) →
close it and open acad.stb (Named Plot Style Table Files) to see how few
plot styles they contain.

14.2.6 CREATING PLOT STYLES (Using the Plot Style Manager)

1. File ► Plot Style Manager.

2. Double-click the Add-A- Plot Style Table wizard program
shortcut → Next.
3. Choose Start From Scratch option → Next.
4. Choose whether you want to create a Color-dependent Plot Style
Table (.ctb file) or Named Plot Style Table (.stb file). → Next.
5. Type a name for the new ctb or stb file. → Next.
6. Click the Plot Style Table Editor button. If you created a ctb file,
assign Lineweight, Screening, or other plot properties to each color
that is used in the drawing (by switching to the drawing window,
and then clicking Layers button). If you created a stb file Plot Style
Table, click the Add Style button, and then assign plot properties to
each of the named styles that you created.
 202

7. Click Save & Close button (to close Plot Style Table Editor) →
Finish (to complete the steps for the wizard).
8. Your new ctb or stb file is now displayed in the \Program
Files\autocad200X\Plot Styles folder (where it should for
AutoCAD to recognize it). Close this folder by clicking on the (x)
of its title bar.
The work for creating a Color-dependent plot style table to map screen
colours to plotted lineweight for pc2 files (AutoCAD R14) would be
much reduced if the drawing had limited itself to the first 9 standard
AutoCAD colours when defining layers. In this case, you will have to
assign plot properties to only 9 colours rather than the available 255
colours.

14.2.7 How to Use the Plot Style Table

To use a plot style table and its included plot styles, you must attach it to
Model space or a Paperspace layout. The plot style table then affects
plotting only for that tab. This approach lets you plot the same drawing in
different ways by attaching different plot styles to different tabs. To
attach a plot style to Model space or a Paperspace layout:
1. Select its tab at the bottom of the drawing area.
2. Open the Plot dialog box and choose the plot style table name in
the Plot Style Table (Pen Assignment) drop-down list.

To assign on of the available Plot Style Table files to a

drawing attached to a Layout:
1. Make the drawing current.
2. Click Layout1 to make it current.
3. Right-click the Layout1 tab and select Page Setup.
4. Click the Plot Device tab  In the Plot Style Table area, if None
option is shown, this means that no plot style table file has been
assigned to this layout → open the drop-down list. You can choose
one of the available .ctb files, or click the New button and create
your own. You can modify the selected file by clicking Edit and
make a new plot style out of it → select monochrome.ctb → O.K.
→ click Full Preview and notice that all lines and filled areas in
the drawing are solid black → exit Full Preview [if you wish to
check Screening 50%.ctb, right-click Layout1 tab → Page Setup
→ Select Screening 50% → O.K. → Full Preview] → exit the
Plot dialog box.
 203

14.2.8 How to Use the CTB or STB File Stored in

\Program Files\Autocad200X\Plot Styles Folder

After you have the appropriate ctb or stb file stored in the mentioned
folder:
1. Click the Model space or Paperspace tab you want to plot.
2. PLOT  Plot Device tab → open the Plot Style Table (Pen
Assignments) drop-down list and select the ctb or stb file. This
action attaches the plot style table to the tab you clicked in step 1.
If you save the drawing after plotting, this ctb or stb file will be
the default plot style when you plot this tab in the future.
3. Complete the settings of the Plot dialog box as described earlier.

NOTE: if the last drop-down list (the Plot Styles Control) on the Object
Properties toolbar is grayed out, then the current drawing is set to use
Color-dependent plot styles. If this list is NOT grayed out, then the
drawing can use Named plot styles.

14.2.9 CREATING NEW FILES

Each drawing can be assigned only one kind of plot style table file:
Color-dependent or Named. This is determined when the drawing is first
created.
■ When you create a new drawing using the Start From Scratch option,
the current value of this setting "Use Color Dependent Plot Styles" or
"Use Named Plot Styles" determine whether you can choose ctb or stb
files.
1. File  New → Start From Scratch → Select unit type → O.K.
2. Format  Layer. Notice the Normal option under the Plot Style
column. This is an indication that this file is associated with a named plot
style, i.e. the file is in Named mode.

■ When you create a new drawing file using the Template option, the
template drawing's plot style behavior determines whether you can
choose ctb or stb files.

■ If you create a new drawing file using the Quick Setup or the
Advanced Setup wizards, it will be assigned a color-dependent plot style
table. Changing the Default Plot Style Behavior for new drawings
setting in the Option dialog box does not change the setting for the
current drawing.
 204

1. File  New → Use a Wizard → Quick Setup → O.K. → Select

a unit measurement → Next → Finish.
2. Format  Layer. Notice the dimmed Color option under the Plot
Style column. This is an indication that is file is associated with a
Color-dependent plot style table. The file is in color-dependent
mode.
14.2.10 ASSIGNING PLOT STYLE TABLES TO
DRAWINGS Using the OPTIONS Command

(i) The Options dialog box:

If you open a file created with AutoCAD R13 or R14, it will be assigned
the table type specified with OPTIONS.
The Plotting tab on the Options dialog box (TOOLS  OPTIONS)
contains a setting called Default Plot Style Behavior for new drawings.
It allows you to choose which type of plot style is to be assigned to new
drawings that are started from scratch.

(ii) Choosing Plot Styles Table for Files Created From Scratch:
1. Tools  Options → Plotting tab.
2. Under "Default Plot Style behavior for new drawings" select the
radio button that controls which type of plot style a drawing will
accept (Color-dependent or Named).
3. In the Default Plot Style Table drop-down list, select a plot style
table file (of the type that is selected by the radio button) to be
automatically assigned to new drawings. One of the available
options is None.
4. Close the Options dialog box.

(iii) Assigning Named Plot Styles to New Files Using OPTIONS

1. Tools  Options → Plotting tab.
2. Use Named plot styles option under Default plot behavior for
new drawings.
3. Select acad.stb under Default plot style table.
4. Ensure that Normal is selected for Default plot style for layer 0.
When this style is assigned to a layer, the plot will have the same
contents of the layer properties. For example, if a layer is assigned
yellow colours, 0.35mm lineweight, and dashed linetype, it will be
plotted with these properties.
5. Ensure that ByLayer is always selected in Default plot style for
objects. This assigns the newly drawn objects to the ByLayer plot
 205

style, and therefore, ensuring that they abide the layer-assigned plot
style.
6. Click O.K.
Note that above options have no effects on any current open file. To
change the plot style type assigned to an open file, you have to convert
the style using the convertpstyles command.
Even though the type of plot for a new drawing is fixed in the Options
dialog box, the convertpstyles  command changes files from Named
Plot Styles to Color-dependent mode. Type convertctb  to change
from Color-dependent plots to Named Plot Styles.

(iv) Converting a Drawing File from Color-Dependent to Named

Mode
You have always to be aware of the Color-dependent table when
assigning colours to layers. Whenever possible, convert a file in Color-
dependent mode to Named mode.

(a). To create a Color-dependent Plot Style Table :

Tools  Wizards → Add Plot Style Table → Next Start from
Scratch → Next → Choose Color-dependent plot Table → Next →
type a file name TEMP-C → Next → Click on the Plot Style Editor
button (to edit the Table and specify the object plot styles based on their
colour) → Form View tab → click on the colours assigned to the objects
in the drawing (hold down CTRL after selecting the first colour for
multiple selection) → under Properties, select Blue from the colour list
(to assign it to the selected colours, to plot in blue) → Save & Close (to
save the TEMP-C table) → Finish.

(b). To Convert the Color-Dependent Table to a Named Plot Style

Table:
1. Type CONVERTCTB  .
2. Locate the TEMP-C.ctb file in the Program Files\autocad200X\Plot
Styles directory.
3. Double-click on the file to open the Create File dialog box.
4. Type TEMP-N in the Filename box and click Save.
5. Read the warning message and click on O.K.

(c). To Convert the File to a Named Plot Style Mode:

1. Open the Color-dependent drawing file.
2. Type CONVERTPSTYLES  .
3. Read the warning message and click on O.K.
 206

4. Click on TEMP-N file and click on Open.

5. Format  Layer. Note that all the layers are assigned a Named
style, Style 1.
6. Click Cancel. The file is now in Named Plot Style mode.
NOTE: When using the Convertctb command, you may choose the
Acad.ctb table to create a new named plot style table for files that are not
associated with any color-dependent table.

14.2.11 PLOTTING AUTOCAD R13 & R14 pc2 FILES

(Consider a drawing file accompanied with the Pen1.pc2 file)
(a) To Import the Pen Assignments to a Color-Dependent Table:
1. Tools  Wizards → Add Plot Style Table (to import the pen
assignments to a color-dependent table).
2. In the Add Plot window, click on Next (to choose how to create
the table).
3. In the Begin page, select Use a PCP or PC2 file → Next.
4. Make sure the Color-Dependent Plot Style Table is selected →
Next.
5. Click on Browse to open the Import dialog box  use the Look
in to locate the drawing folder → click on the Pen1:pc2 file to
select it → click on Import → Next.
6. Type Pen1-200X (where X is the current AutoCAD version) in the
Filename box. The table you just imported will be used to create
the Pen1-200X.ctb file → Next.
7. Click on Plot Style Table Editor button to inspect the imported
table → O.K. (to close the Alert box) → make sure the Form
View tab is selected. You may click on each of the 255 colour
number to view its plot properties. [You may change the assigned
properties. For example, under Plot Styles, click on a color to select
it → hold down CTRL and select another colour → under
Properties, select a plot color to assign it to the selected 2 colors].
8. Click on Save & Close (to close the Editor dialog box).
9. Click Finish (to create the Pen1-200X.ctb file)

NOTE: If you need to edit a ctb table or stb table, use File ► Plot Style
Manager (to open the plot Style folder that contains the plot style files)
→ double-click on any table file to open the Plot Style Table Editor
dialog box to edit the table contents.

(b) To Open and Plot R14 File Using the Pen1-200X.ctb Table:
 207

1. Close the drawing file.

2. File  Open → from the Look in, choose the drive in which you
copied the drawing folder → double-click on the folder → double-
click on the drawing file to open it.
3. Format  Layer. Note the dimmed color styles under the Plot
Style column. The file is in Color-dependent plot style mode as
specified in the Options dialog box. You cannot change a plot style
in a Color-dependent file.
4. Click on Cancel to close the Layer Properties Manager.
5. File ► PLOT  Plot Device tab → choose the name of the
system printer → under Plot Style table (Pen Assignments), select
Pen1-200X.ctb → select Yes to assign this table to all layouts 
click Plot Settings tab → choose desired plot settings → click
O.K. to plot the drawing.

NOTE: You may repeat the above procedures to create a Named Plot
Style Table instead of Color-Dependent one. Use the Add Plot Style
Table wizard to import the pc2 file to a named plot style table. The
number of styles in this table will depend on how many pens were
assigned non-standard properties in AutoCAD R14. Use the
CONVERTPSTYLES command to convert the R14 drawing file to a
Named plot style mode. When prompted to select a table file, select the
table created with the Add Plot Style Table wizard. Layers in the
converted file will be assigned plot styles from the stb table.

14.2.12 CREATING & ASSIGNING A NEW PLOT STYLE TO A

LAYER

To make the associated layers of the new style to plot with an assigned
colour:
1. Format  Layer. In the Layer Properties Manager, if the
Normal option under Plot Style column in NOT dimmed, then
this is an indication that this file is associated with a named plot
style table. If it is dimmed, then the file is associated with a
color-dependent style table.
2. Suppose you have a layer named SCREW with a colour Cyan,
and you want this layer to be plotted with Blue. To change its
blue plot style, click Normal under the Plot Style column
associated with the SCREW layer.
3. In the displayed Select Plot Style window, notice that active plot
style table is acad.stb, and that the 2 plot styles: Normal &
 208

Style1 are initially identical. The Normal plot specifies that each
object will be plotted using the layer properties: color, linetype
and lineweight.
4. Click on Editor button. In the displayed Plot Style Table Editor,
notice that Normal column is dimmed. You can only modify
Style1 plot but Normal plot style. Since it is a standard style, it is
better to leave it intact and add a new one instead:
Click on Add Style button (to add a style): In the highlighted new
column heading, type SCREW-MOD  , which makes the name for the
third plot style → under SCREW-MOD column click the cell that
corresponds to the Color row (which contains the option Use Object
Color) to activate it and open a list of colors → select Blue. If you assign
the SCREW-MOD style to any layer it will be plotted with blue and not
the colour assigned to the layer.
5. To save a named plot style table in a new file in order to leave the
acad.stb file intact, and to be able to associate the new table with
any other drawing file (for using it to make color plots):
Click on the Save As button → type MECH-COLOR in the Filename box
→ click on Save to save the table in the Program
Files\AutoCAD2004\Plot Styles directory → click on Save & Close to
return to the Select Plot Style dialog box → select the MECH-COLOR
from the list under Active plot style table. This table will replace the
associated acad.stb file → the SCREW-MOD style appears under Plot
Styles. Click on it to select it → click O.K. note that the SCREW layer is
now assigned the SCREW-MOD plot style. If you plot this file, ByLayer
objects that are resident on this layer will come out Blue and not Cyan,
although the objects will still appear Cyan on the screen.

14.2.13 ASSIGNING A DEFINED PLOT STYLE TO ANOTHER

LAYER

Suppose you want to assign SCREW-MOD style you have just defined to
the BOLT layer, to specify its properties:

(a) Assigning a Plot Color to BOLT Layer:

In the Layer Properties Manager: Click on the Normal Plot Style
corresponding to the BOLT layer to open the Select Plot Style window.
This window contains the same styles that you have just worked with
because you're still working with the same MECH-COLOR.stb table →
click O.K. Now the BOLT layer will also be plotted with blue.

(b) Assigning a Plot Lineweight to BORDER Layer:

 209

In the Layer Properties Manager: Click on the Normal Plot Style

corresponding to the BORDER layer → under Active plot style table,
note that MECH-COLOR.stb is still the associated table. Only one plot
style table can be associated with a drawing file. Click on Editor button
(to open the Plot Style Table Editor) → click Add Style button (to add a
style) → type BORDER-MOD  in the highlighted new column
heading → click on the cell under the BORDER-MOD column
corresponding to the Lineweight row (which contains the option Use
object lineweight to activate it and open a list of lineweights → select
0.6000 from the list → click on Save & Close button to return to Select
Style dialog box → click on BORDER-MOD which now appears in the
Plot Styles (to select it) → O.K. The BORDER layer is now assigned the
BORDER-MOD plot style. If you plot this file, ByLayer objects that are
resident on this layer will come out 0.6mm wide overriding the default
lineweight assigned to the layer.
NOTE: You should create and assign each layer a plot style to establish
uniformity among your drawings. Do this for a typical file then save the
drawing as a template file.

14.2.14 CREATING A PLOT STYLE TABLE TO PLOT ALL

OBJECTS IN BLACK

The new table will contain the same plot styles in the MECH-COLOR
table. Then you change all its plot styles to plot all the layers with black.
You then associate the new table with the current drawing.

(a) Creating the New Table:

1. Format  Layer.
2. Click any Plot Style in the column to open the Select Plot Style
dialog box.
3. Click Editor button → under the Style1 column, click on the Use
object color option → select Black (Black is now displayed in the
cell) → right-click on the Black option and select Apply to All
Styles, from the shortcut menu → click Save As → type MECH-
BLACK in the Filename box (to indicate that this table will be
used to make monochrome plots) → click Save (to save the table
in the Program Files\AutoCAD2004\Plot Styles directory) click
Save & Close (to return to the Select Plot Style dialog box →
select MECH-BLACK from the list (to replace the associated
MECH-COLOR.stb file. Since this table contains the same styles
that were in the MECH-COLOR table, you don't have to change
any of the layers' plot style → click O.K.
 210

You have now created 2 Named plot style tables to plot the file in either
black or in colour.

(b) To Plot Drawing Files:

1. File PLOT.
2. In the Plot Device tab:
• Choose the name of your printer system.
• From the Plot Style Table (Pen assignment) list, select
MECH-BLACK.stb.
• If prompted to assign this style to all layouts, click on
Yes.
3. In the Plot Settings tab:
• Choose paper size.
• Choose plotting units, mm.
• Select drawing orientation.
• Select Extents for plot area.
• Click the Full Preview button to display the drawing as it
would appear on the selected paper size. Note how the
objects that reside on layers which are associated with
non-normal plot styles appear black.

14.2.15 PLOTTING WITH BLACK COLOUR

To plot using just black ink, it is not necessary to create a monochrome

plot style table for each file. If you leave the layer Plot Style set to the
default Normal, it will print with its assigned properties. If you set the
layer Plot Style to Style1, it will print with black regardless of the layer's
colour properties. Style1 specifies that black will override the layer
colour.
1. Format  Layer.
2. Right-click on any layer and select All from the shortcut menu.
3. Click on any style under Plot Style to open the Select Plot Style
dialog box.
4. Select the monochrome.stb table file from the Active Plot Style
Table. Click on the Editor button and note that Style1 uses Black
for Color. Click Cancel.
5. Click on Style1 to select it. Click O.K. to return to the Layer
Properties Manager dialog box.
6. Right-click any where on the layers list area and select Clear All
from the shortcut menu. Notice that all the layers are assigned the
 211

Style1 Plot Style. You may re-assign a particular layer the Normal
plot style if you want to plot it with its assigned colour.
7. Click O.K.
8. File PLOT → make sure monochrome.stb for pen assignment
is selected from the list. The None option would print the layers
with their assigned properties → make the settings for the Plot
Settings tab as before. Click on Full Preview and notice how the
drawing is plotted in black.
NOTE: If in some drawings not all the objects appear black when you
click Full Preview button, then:
1. Exit the Plot dialog box → select all the objects in the drawing.
2. Modify Properties (to change their plot style to ByLayer) → repeat
settings in the Plot dialog box.

Plot Styles provide a way to override object properties as displayed in the

drawing with alternative plot properties. The properties include plotted
lineweight, plotted colour, and screening (i.e. plotting shades of gray).
If the drawings you want to plot have layer and object properties
(especially lineweight) that reflect how you want objects to plot, then you
won't need to bother with plot styles.